Posted at: 09/25/2012 9:51 PM
Updated at: 09/25/2012 10:48 PM
By: Steph Crock

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Vandalism Spree in Albert Lea

(ABC 6 News) -- Albert Lea residents are showing frustration, after at least 15 windows were broken. Police are confident that they're all linked.

That number is just since Monday. Police say they've gotten reports from businesses, homes, and car owners. Their windows either shattered or showing bullet holes. Police believe juveniles are the ones behind this, using pellet guns, for a practical joke,  but taking a look at the cost of these damages and no one's laughing.

"This window was shot out, there's the glass," said Brian Kopsing with Sanderson Auto. From smashed car windows like that one, to this... "We had four shots here that took out this window and a couple here that took out that window," said Don Wheat, owner of the Hot Dog House.

Albert Lea Police took in many more calls just like these. A total of 15 windows broken since Monday including a window outside the Freeborn County Shopper.

"We believe there are juveniles out there riding bikes and maybe some older kids in cars, utilizing pellet guns to shoot at houses and businesses," said Lt. JD Carlson with the Albert Lea Police Department. An act that's doing more harm than they may realize.

"It takes a tenth of second to brake them but it takes a long time to get stuff fixed again," said Kopsing. He says they've gone through this before, at their shop down the road last year. "I think we had 4 windows and the door glass shot out of it," said Kopsing.

"It's a juvenile prank and I'm sure they are enjoying themselves at others expenses," said Lt. Carlson. Certainly an expense, these supposed "pranks" come with a hefty price tag.

"I think that (the Freeborn County Shopper window) was about $1,000 and the Hot Dog House, they got about 6 or 8 windows, and that was almost $2,000 worth of damage," said Tom Throlson with Total Glass-Lock Inc.

They took in four of these recent calls and said even a car window isn't cheap. "Well cars run for $150 dollars for door glass and up from there, some can be as much as $750 to $800," said Throlson. That's more than just a joke.

"It’s mean, it’s very mean," said Wheat.

Police say the vandalism has been mostly occurring downtown and on the south side of town. There are no suspects at this time, but they're continuing to investigate. If you have any clues, don't hesitate to give police a call.