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June 26, 2007

Crime

4 arrested after vandalism

Arlington resident awakens after brick is thrown through her window

Story by: Barbara Gelinas

The Shorthorn staff

The Shorthorn: Kyle Clothier

Arlington resident Jan Bentley holds the brick that was thrown through her window early Monday morning. An inflatable Uncle Sam figure was also destroyed. Four men were arrested and charged with criminal mischief.

Police arrested four people suspected of throwing bricks and rocks through home and vehicle windows near the university early Monday morning.

At about 1:30 a.m., Arlington police received the first of 12 criminal mischief offense reports. The incidents occurred on Juanita, Camellia, Pecandale and Lynnewood drives, on Bluebonnet Trail and on Oak Tree Lane, police officials said.

Homeowner Jan Bentley awoke a little before 2 a.m. Monday when a brick crashed through her living room window in the 100 block of Parkwood Avenue.

“It went through the window, across the room, then slid over to the kitchen,” Bentley said, pointing to her kitchen about 20 feet away.

The suspects also vandalized an inflatable Uncle Sam Fourth of July decoration on her lawn.

Courtney Matthews, who lives across the street from Bentley, was smoking a cigarette on his front porch when he saw a young man get out of an SUV.

“He ran across the lawn and tackled the Uncle Sam,” Matthews said. “When he did that, it exploded.”

Click to enlarge

The Shorthorn: Cliff Hale

Then Matthews saw another young man get out of the vehicle and throw a brick through a window. When the second man turned around, he saw Matthews, and both suspects ran back to the vehicle, which sped away, Matthews said.

Police officials said that after receiving the reports, the vehicle description was broadcast to patrol officers. Later, Officer Spence Williams stopped a 2001 silver Chevy Tahoe for speeding and driving erratically.

According to police reports, Colin Richard Cashman and minors James Alan Gregory Smith and Thomas Parker Hewitt were arrested on charges of criminal mischief on the 500 block of Aspen Drive.

Smith was also charged with driving under the influence — minor, and Cashman was charged with public intoxication.

Police also took a 16-year-old into custody in connection with the crimes, police officials said.

The suspects were positively identified by witnesses and immediately arrested.

Cashman, Hewitt and Smith were all later released on bonds.