SAN ANTONIO – At least one man whose business was among dozens allegedly targeted by Thomas Keller, 39, who police said was using a slingshot, said the vandalism was especially painful to his pocket.
"Getting the window fixed and having to spend $500 that I don't have to spend. We're a small business. Every penny counts," said Elliott Hayne, reflecting on the discovery his employee made one day in October.
"(He) noticed what looked like a gunshot to the window," Hayne said. "I came in and looked at it. It actually looked like a BB gun had shot it. Come to find out, lots of people in town or along Broadway had the same thing happen."
Alamo Heights police said in all, eight businesses were hit that same night, to the tune of $9,000 in damage. Among them were Alamo Heights High School and the city's new fire station.
"It is very frustrating," said Sgt. Tom Vitacco, with the Alamo Heights Police Department. "They're just out here, trying to run a business and to come in, in the morning, or be called in the middle of the night and find out that someone had shot out their windows."
On Monday, charges were filed against Keller in connection with the crimes in that city. He already is a suspect and faces criminal charges in a series of similar cases in San Antonio.
SAPD detectives tracked him down shortly after a windows was shot out for the second time at a Shell gas station near Loop 410 and Vance Jackson on Oct. 13.
An arrest warrant affidavit stated that a clerk in the Northwest Side convenience store saw a maroon pickup leaving the scene both that night and after the previous attack, and led investigators to a home where it was parked.
The affidavit stated that SAPD officers found two slingshots inside the vehicle, as well as ball bearings similar to those that were found at the scene of the crimes.
Keller denied involvement, but a man who claimed to be a passenger in the truck with him gave detectives information, the affidavit stated.
The man reportedly told police that Keller had targeted dozens of buildings in San Antonio and Alamo Heights, the affidavit stated.
He told them that Keller would drive slowly past a building, load up his slingshot and fire it, then laugh as he drove away, the affidavit stated.
It also stated that San Antonio police believe he may be linked to about 25 cases in their city, including buildings and VIA buses.
"Using video provided by VIA and in conjunction with speaking with detectives from the San Antonio Police Department, we were able to piece together evidence," said Vitacco, explaining how his department linked Keller to the Alamo Heights cases.
While he's not happy about what happened to his business, Hayne said he is glad that police have made an arrest.
"Hopefully it will discourage somebody from doing it in the future," he said. "It's unbelievable that it's an old, 40-year-old adult."