A 28-year-old Redding man has been charged with felony vandalism and more for allegedly throwing rocks at Palm Springs businesses in a case that Police Chief Andy Mills said has him "really upset."
In a video on Facebook, the chief said, "People are trying to earn a living, running their businesses and taking care of our community and this person from Redding decides to throw rocks through windows at their local businesses. This is unacceptable."
Suspect Ernest Mecca has been charged with two cases of vandalism, and the Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) continues to investigate to see if Mecca is responsible for additional destruction in the downtown area, according to a June 5 Facebook post.
Mecca has been booked at the John Benoit Detention Center and is facing various charges including felony vandalism, misdemeanor possession of unlawful paraphernalia and misdemeanor carrying a concealed dirk or dagger.
To assist in the investigation, PSPD is asking residents and business owners to come forward with any information they may have related to the case. Especially valuable would be any video footage, according to Facebook. This may be helpful to investigators as they seek to find a link between Mecca and several additional vandalism cases.
It didn't take long for PSPD to make an arrest in this case after it first learned of a series of window smash vandalisms where an unidentified person destroyed windows using rocks, at various downtown Palm Springs establishments. Officers were able to identify and arrest Mecca for two of the incidents, those occurring at Johannes at 196 S. Indian Canyon and Division Menswear at 210 E. Arenas, according to Facebook.
"I want you to know we found the person, we arrested him, we put him in jail," Mills said in the video. The department release notes the department plans to thoroughly investigate and fully prosecute vandals. Toward that end, the department is seeking a bail enhancement for help in putting the cases together.
Other targeted stores included Fudge and Chocolates (211 S. Palm Canyon), Grand Central (160 La Plaza) and Salon 119 Beauty and Spa (245 S. Palm Canyon). PSPD has not ruled out other potential victims as well and would like business owners to come forward if they have been targeted.
The PSPD is asking these business owners to contact Detective Matt Steed at 760-323-8157, the same number to call with videotapes and other relevant information.