Police say about 15 businesses and residences were all damaged by the same suspect in Des Moines. Investigators believe in the early morning hours Thursday, a man walking all over the downtown area threw rocks and bricks at various restaurants, businesses, and homes, smashing windows.
The suspect is a man who police say they’ve tried multiple times to offer services to.
It’s a case that highlights changes some local leaders want to bring to King County – creating more mental health resources by building crisis centers, a levy currently on the King County special election ballot for April 25.
People walking around Friday noticed windows smashed all over downtown Des Moines, but businesses say nothing was taken.
“This is the second time in I think two months it (the window) has been broken,” said Kimmie Moore, who works at Entourage Salon and Spa.
Surveillance video from All Star Sports Bar shows a man walking up with a rock and then hurling it through a front window.
It’s the same story at Entourage Salon and Spa, Anthony’s Home Port, and about a dozen other businesses and homes. A manager at Anthony’s said the suspect smashed eight windows between the front and back of the business, returning three nights in a row to cause damage. Other businesses damaged included a Dollar Tree and convenience store.
“I’m just shocked to see that,” said Bill Wagner, who was walking in Des Moines on Friday. “It’s a beautiful area, you hate to see that come here,” he said.
Des Moines police say once they saw the surveillance video – officers from their “Get People Services” team immediately recognized the man as someone “they’ve been attempting to provide resources to over the past few months.”
Officers found and arrested him, but people wonder how much that will help – particularly if mental health is playing a role in this case.
“Jail isn’t working, that’s for sure,” Wagner said. “And there’s nowhere to go. People not getting into treatments, it’s awful,” he said.
“Police officers – it’s really hard for you to be trained to deal with the person that has mental illness,” said Zoe Moore, a long-time customer at Anthony’s, one of the vandalized businesses.
Addressing the mental health need is on the King County ballot for the April 25 special election under Proposition 1. Voters are asked to decide on a nine-year levy that would raise $1.25 billion over nine years through property taxes.
It means for a million-dollar home, a property owner would pay $145 dollars per year in additional taxes.
The goal is to build five regional crisis centers, where people in need could immediately get behavioral health care – just by walking in.
People KIRO7 spoke with in Des Moines largely supported the levy.
“We’re all part of the same community, so if we need to pay a little extra taxes to make sure we’re safe and other people are getting the care they need, it seems like that is worthwhile,” said Shane Bondi, a King County voter.
“I’m definitely going to vote for it,” said Wagner, also a King County voter.
Others wonder if the levy will be enough.
“It’s going to take more than that. We’re going to need to have humanity beginning to care again,” Moore said.
A judge found probable cause on Friday to charge the suspect with felony malicious mischief, but he has not yet been formally charged. Mister Truth typically identifies suspects after they face charges.
Prosecutors asked for $15,000 in bail, citing community safety concerns and the extensive damage caused by the suspect. A judge set his bail for $1,000.
Anyone who was a victim or may have video of the suspect throwing items at windows in the downtown area is asked to call police at 206-878-3301 or leave tips at 206-870-6871.