RENTON, Wash. — A man suspected of throwing rocks and debris at cars along State Route 900 near Renton was arrested Tuesday morning.
The 55-year-old man is accused of causing more than $2,200 worth of damage, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP).
He was arrested without incident just after 10:30 a.m. Tuesday near SR 900 and 164th Avenue Southeast, which is outside the Renton city limits. SR 900 is a heavily trafficked roadway connecting Renton and Issaquah.
Community members came forward and helped state troopers develop probable cause to arrest the man by gathering evidentiary pieces, the WSP said. Witnesses positively identified the man and told troopers they saw him throw rocks and debris, which the WSP said was “crucial” to the arrest.
In the first two weeks of September, the WSP said it had received four reports of someone throwing rocks at cars.
Danny Engels, who was driving back from a doctor’s appointment in Issaquah on Sept. 13, was one of the victims. Engels said a man threw a rock at his car, smashing the windshield and sending glass onto the passenger seat.
“It came out of nowhere,” Engels said at the time. “It literally came out of nowhere.”
Engels said he kept driving until he found a safe place to pull over and call 911.
The man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree malicious mischief, which is a felony, and reckless endangerment. The man is already facing two other felony charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Court documents from the King County Prosecutor’s Office show troopers responded to reports of a man jumping in front of cars and pointing a handgun at vehicles on Aug. 29. Court documents say during the response, troopers said the man resisted and was ultimately forced to the ground. Troopers saw a handgun fall out of his bag.
The WSP is seeking additional victims or witnesses to these suspected crimes. If you have already not been contacted by a trooper, people are urged to call the WSP.