Vandals Using BBs to Break Windows Throughout Village

Police are searching for a suspect or group of suspects who are breaking windows in Menomonee Falls with ball bearings and a slingshot. 

Last week, three more businesses reported broken windows – adding to a growing list of similar incidents. Menomonee Falls Police Capt. Mark Waters said there have been eight similar incidents recently, and they appear to be related.  Waters said they have asked neighboring police departments to assist in the investigation.

Waters said a wrist rocket or slingshot was likely used to fire a ball bearing into the windows in the incidents. In many cases, the ball bearing was recovered at the scene. Waters said a slingshot or wrist rocket was likely used based on the size of the BBs and velocity at which they were fired.

Between Feb. 11 and Feb. 16, windows at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, , Mobil One Oil Change and were broken.

In December, a window at was damaged. In January, reported a damaged window.

Here are the details on the most recent incidents:

• Between 9:15 p.m. Wednesday and 6:10 a.m. Thursday, an unknown suspect damaged a window at Thomas Jefferson Middle School, W165N8301 Lavergne Ave. A standard silver BB was recovered below the damaged window. There were no witnesses, and window replacement is estimated to cost $300.
• Between 5:30 p.m. Feb. 12 and 9 a.m. Feb. 13, an unknown suspect fired what looked to be a quarter-inch BB through a service garage door windowpane at Mobil One Oil Change, W156N8390 Pilgrim Rd.
• Between 7 p.m. Feb. 11 and 6:50 a.m. Feb. 14, an unknown suspect fired a BB into a window at Falls Auto Tech, N84W15859 Appleton Ave. The BB broke the windowpane, and it appears it was fired from a vehicle on Appleton Avenue.

Waters said the investigation is ongoing, and couldn’t say if suspects had been identified at this point. Anyone with information regarding suspects in these crimes should contact the Crime Stoppers program for a reward. The Crime Stoppers tip-line phone number is 888-441-5505.