Vandals with BB and paintball guns take aim at parked vehicles

Police are looking for individuals responsible for late night paintball and BB gun attacks on cars in Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park. Officials believe the culprits are most likely teenagers.

"We don't typically see adults doing this type of nuisance vandalism since adults have a greater appreciation of other people's property," said Ventura County Sheriff's Detective Eric Buschow. "Adults understand how hard people have to work to buy cars."

Mike de la Santos, watch commander, said, "Every once in a while we see destruction like this from BB guns and paintball guns."

It is illegal to shoot a BB or paintball gun in the city limits at anything- tree, bird or target- de la Santos said.

Buschow didn't know why parents would buy their teens a gun they couldn't legally shoot, even in the backyard or garage, but he said an adult would have to make the purchase because the guns can't be sold to anyone under the age of 18.

As summertime approaches, vandalism increases, Buschow said. Mailboxes are battered by baseball bats; cars and other valuable property are targets for BB or paintball guns. When the perpetrators get caught, they find out how serious a matter it is, he said.

"It doesn't take much to reach the $400 threshold that separates a misdemeanor from a felony- over $400 is a felony," Buschow said.

Young people really need to think twice, he said, especially if they shoot a paintball or BB gun at a person.

"In a paintball competition people wear protective gear. If someone shoots another person- for instance, someone riding down the street on a bike- with a paintball gun, that's assault with a deadly weapon," Buschow said.

It comes down to choices; young people need to be taught to make good choices because one bad choice can mean big trouble, he said.

Usually the BB/paintball vandalism occurs during the night. The city has a 10 p.m. curfew for anyone under 18, Buschow said, not to punish kids but to protect them.

"The curfew is for their safety. There is no good reason for them to be out unsupervised after 10 p.m.," Buschow said.

It is helpful for parents and police to work together. The public can help prevent and solve crimes.

The detective encourages anyone aware of the vandalism to call the police as it happens.

"We need everyone to be our eyes and ears," he said.