A Westmoreland County man is accused of firing his BB gun at homes, property and a cat to harass his neighbors.
Residents on Broadway Avenue reported to police that they saw a man last week firing his BB gun up the street, aiming at windows, driving by while firing at houses, and shooting at a cat.
John Hartman, 19, was arrested and charged in connection with the incident, and police said they confiscated two high-powered BB guns from his home.
Gary Lender, who lives in Manor, showed Channel 11 a handful of holes that show where pellets pierced his truck as it sat outside his Manor home.
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"I come out get in and take it for a ride and notice the chips in the windshield. Here we go,” Lender said.
Lender never caught the culprit, but called police. Now, he said he's wondering if his case is connected to other neighbors who are dealing with broken windows, like his, from a BB gun.
"(The people responsible for the crimes) don't actually have property of their own to value, so they don't think twice about damaging somebody else's,” Lender said. "The crime rate is going up and the neighborhood is going down. It's not the old go to sleep with your doors open anymore."
Hartman has not been charged in connection with the damage to Lender's truck.
Last week, Channel 11 spoke with a 13-year-old Jeannette teen who lost his eye from a BB gun injury. Jeannette police arrested 16-year-old Darnell Dennison in connection with that shooting.
Lender said the damage to his truck is enough for him to take new security measures.
"This BB gun thing kind of tore it for me, I sent and bought security cameras and I have full 360 surveillance around my house. The only way you're getting in is to rappel down (a) helicopter," Lender said.
Anyone with information is asked to call police.
Cox Media Group
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