A 21-year-old Owensboro man has been charged with nearly 50 counts of criminal mischief in relation to dozens of reports of damage to vehicles and businesses consistent with windows being shot by BB guns.
OPD previously said the incidents took place on April 6 at approximately 10:30 p.m., and that more than 40 reports were filed. Officials said damage was consistent with being struck with a projectile from a BB or pellet gun.
According to a Thursday release from the Owensboro Police Department, their investigation resulted in obtaining limited video surveillance within City limits. Detectives followed up by canvassing areas outside the City limits where similar crimes occurred. As a result, they located video surveillance of a possible suspect vehicle which led detectives to an address in the 1800 block of Reid Road, where the vehicle was located.
OPD said the suspect was identified as Christopher Smithers, who was apprehended in the 5700 block of KY 144.
OPD detectives contacted the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office and provided them with information that may aid in their investigation of similar property damage incidents that occurred at addresses in the county.
The estimated damage to property for victims residing within the city was in excess of $14,000.
Smithers was charged by OPD with 49 counts of criminal mischief; nine counts are in the second degree, while 40 are third degree.
Smithers was arrested and lodged at the Daviess County Detention Center on an unrelated failure to appear warrant.
Locations were reports were filed included:
- 2200 block to 2500 block of Citation Avenue
- 1900 block to 2500 block of Venetian Way
- 1200 block of Pleasant Valley Road
- 2100 block of Churchill Drive
- 700 block to 900 block of Cottage Drive
- 1200 block to 1300 block of Independence Avenue
- 400 block to 1300 Block of Maple Avenue
- 900 block to 1000 Block of Walnut Street
- 500 block to 900 Block of East 5th Street
- 900 block to 1200 Block of Cedar Street
- 2700 block of Middleground Drive West
- 2600 block of Elwood Court
- 700 block of Carter Road
- 2500 block of Elder Drive
- 500 block of Hathaway Street
- 400 block of Center Street
- 2000 block of Clinton Place West
- 2200 block of East 19th Street
- 1200 block of Cedar Street
- 1500 block of Booth Avenue
- 2500 block of South Cherokee Drive
- 2200 block of Mayfair Avenue
- 2700 block of Baylor Place
- 2300 block of Wintergreen Loop South
The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office is also investigations reports of similar damage at residences in the county, including these locations:
- 800 block of East 20th Street
- 800 block of James Garrad Drive
- 3400 block of East 6th Street
- 2400 block of KY 144
- 600 block of Eastwood Drive
- 800 block of George Madison Drive
