Barrie police are receiving more and more reports of damage caused by someone firing projectiles from a moving vehicle in recent weeks.
The "fully mobile" and "fairly accurate" shooter is targeting parked vehicles and residential windows.
While some of the first complaints had been coming in before Christmas, there was a lull followed by more reports this week.
The most recent incidents called in to city police Monday included a Toronto Street business and a Bayfield Street home.
Since Dec. 15, city police have now received around 25 complaints.
Calls were coming in up until Dec. 22, followed by a week where it was all quiet "and then they were right back at it," Barrie police communications co-ordinator Peter Leon told BarrieToday.
Previous incidents had been reported primarily in the Barrie's south end, including on Pine Drive, Royal Park Boulevard, Turner Drive, Gore Drive and Monarchy Street, but also on Park Street, Theresa Street and Donald Street near downtown.
"It's becoming more and more widespread," Leon said. "These are very malcious acts of mischief that are taking place in our community and of great cost to the homeowner. Totally unnecessary."
The incidents typically happen in the evening hours, between dinnertime and around 10:30 p.m., and almost exclusively under the cover of darkness.
Police have seized a number of projectiles — measuring approximately one centimetre in diameter — from various crime scenes where there has been damage.
The shooter is believed to be using something similar to three-eighths of an inch steel hunting shot, which can be purchased in most hunting stores. Investigators believe they're using either a slingshot or a modified AirSoft-type weapon.
"We had some reports before Christmas, so it's not likely something someone got for Christmas," Leon said.
While there have been no cases yet involving injuries, "I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of it," he added.
"There's a great deal of acceleration. There certainly the potential there for serious injury."
Investigators are looking for a dark-coloured vehicle, possibly a Mazda, that could be linked to the case.
Leon said police are "encouraged" by the public's assistance in the ongoing investigation.
"More information is starting to come in," he said. "It's amazing."
Leon added detectives are reviewing surveillance footage and urge anyone who witnesses vehicles that "seem out of place" in their neighbourhood to contact police.
"We'd like to see this solved and resolved quickly," he said, noting charges would include mischief and could escalate to weapons-related offences.
In neighbouring Innisfil, South Simcoe police are also probing similar occurrences which happened in mid-December. Police there are investigating eight incidents involving damaged house windows and parked vehicles, mainly in the Alcona area.
Leon questioned whether the culprits migrated into Barrie when the heat got turned up in Innisfil.
"Maybe the person, or persons, realized the temperature was getting a little warm in the south and they decided to take their show on the road," he said.
South Simcoe police also believe there's a possible link to what has been happening in Barrie.
"We're working with Barrie police and reaching out to surrounding police services to see if they have any incidents," said South Simcoe police Sgt. Brad Reynolds. "Our main concern is for public safety and the possibility of someone getting hit by one of these projectiles."
Leon said there "are definitely some similarities" between the Barrie and Innisfil incidents, adding "this is just another example of borderless policing."
Anyone with information on the Barrie incidents can call Barrie police Sgt. Don Moore at 705-725-7025, ext. 2765, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. If you have information on the Innisfil occurences, contact Sgt. Mike Adams at michael.adams@
