Ankeny Police Charge Two Teens in Vandalism Shooting Spree

The Ankeny Police Department has charged two teenagers with using a BB gun to shoot out $6,700 worth of windows in vehicles, according to a press release.

Police continue to investigate multiple reports of criminal mischief involving two teens who were seen shooting at vehicle windows with a BB gun. On Nov. 26 at 2:36 p.m., Ankeny officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Southwest Cherry Street after a witness saw a maroon colored car with no license plates driving north on Southwest Cherry shooting the windows of vehicles parked along the street. The witness told dispatchers they saw two people in the vehicle and both people were shooting at vehicles as they drove down the street.

About 20 minutes after the initial report was made officers located the suspect vehicle in the 400 block of Northwest Ash Drive. Inside the vehicle were two juveniles who were identified as 17-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy, both of Ankeny, the release said.

During a search of the vehicle officers found two CO2 BB pistols, a box of extra CO2 cartridges, and a container of BBs. Both boys were detained on suspicion of criminal mischief for shooting vehicles with a BB gun and transported to the Ankeny police headquarters for interviews.

Officers learned the juveniles had purchased the BB guns only hours before being stopped by police. After purchasing the BB guns the juveniles reportedly drove around the city shooting at vehicles.

When asked how many vehicles they had targeted one of the teens said, “A lot…maybe 35 cars.”

So far, officers have identified about 20 victims whose vehicles were damaged, the release said. Property damage is estimated at $6,700, but may exceed $10,000 as damage reports trickle into the police department.

Most of the damage caused by the suspects has been broken windows on vehicles, but there have been reports of chipped paint around the windows of vehicles and one victim reported a residential window was shot out.

The two suspects will be referred to Polk County Juvenile Court on multiple charges of second-degree criminal mischief.

Residents are encouraged to contact the Ankeny Police Department at (515) 286-3333 to speak with an officer if they have noticed damage to windows or vehicles related to this incident in recent days.