EB stores fall prey to mischief
'Small-caliber' gun possibly used to break out windows
By BARRY HALVORSON bhalvorson@journal-spectator.com

The Wharton County Sheriff's Department is hoping the public can provide some additional leads into the investigation to a pair of similar criminal mischief reports filed by East Bernard businesses Thursday.

The first of the calls came in at 8:34 p.m. with Deputy Reynaldo Rodriguez dispatched to Don Elliott Ford, 407 Main. An employee of the business said he was passing by when he noticed there was glass from a shattered showroom window "hanging and flopping" in the wind, Sheriff's Lt. Daniel Marek said.

"We sent several more units to the scene to check for a forced entry," he said. "We found that there were between five and 10 small holes from either a BB, pellet or small-caliber gun in the window."

In addition to the damage to the window, estimated at $400, the falling glass also damaged the rear bumper of a SUV parked on the showroom floor.

While investigating the first incident, a representative of B and K Czech Republic Imports, 635 Main came to the scene and found similar window damage at their business, where investigators determined there were 15 to 20 of the small holes. In addition to the glass, a wood table valued at $300 was damaged and the owners said other inventory would have to be checked for possible damage.

"We need the people's help on something like this," Marek said. "We're real concerned about the vandalism and criminal mischief taking place in East Bernard."

Anyone with information can call Marek or Sgt. John Gutierrez at 532-1550.