Richmond car owners were left in disbelief when they walked back to their cars on Tuesday, September 1, realizing their windshields had been shattered. Police say a man smashed around 90 vehicles during the incident.
Richmond Police responded around 11:16 a.m. to a report of someone damaging vehicles near East Grace and Ambler streets, close to Main Street Station, where they saw the suspect and took him into custody, according to WTVR.
WTVR said the incident took place in a parking lot near Virginia Commonwealth University, where employees and students keep their cars. Richmond police and VCU police are working to identify the owners of the damaged vehicles.
The suspect, 33-year-old Tyler Holtrust, allegedly used bricks to smash the windshields.
Drivers Were in Shock
Sydney Lee told WTVR that she pulled into the lot and noticed a smashed windshield; she then saw an entire row of cars that had the same damage. Lee got out of her car to talk to officers, and they reportedly told her a man went through the parking lot smashing windshields with bricks; he also left some bricks on the windshields.
Claire Miller had just got off work when she saw the scene. Miller told WTVR that she saw damaged vehicles and tow trucks before checking her own car. Miller eventually walked to her car and realized it was also hit. Miller described the incident as “sad” and stated she wouldn’t be parking there again.
It Was Hours Before People Were Notified
It was reported by 12 On Your Side that several people claimed they weren’t alerted at all to what was going on until hours after it happened. Which just adds another layer of frustration to the owners of the vehicles.
It must have been a tough realization discovering your car’s windshield being completely shattered. Leaving people, like Miller, on the phone with their insurance companies looking for answers and a way home.
The Internet Had Plenty To Say
People online were amazed by the fact that nearly 90 windshields were destroyed by one man, with a person joking that Safelite was about to have a very busy week. Others wanted to know how someone could have done all that damage with no one there to stop him.
That question is probably the biggest point of discussion surrounding the incident. People questioned whether the parking area had security cameras, patrols, or other measures that could have stopped the damage sooner.
Holtrust is in custody, facing one count of felony destruction of property and eight counts of misdemeanor destruction of property. Officials still haven’t given much information as to why he would do something like this.