‘We’re scared to get on the highway.’ California cops investigate projectiles on 101
Mysterious projectiles have terrorized drivers on stretches of a Northern California highway for months, and now local authorities are offering a reward for information that leads to an arrest.
Multiple cars have been struck by projectiles on Highway 101 around Prunedale and Aromas, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post on Tuesday. KSBW reports that a “new name has now emerged to describe” the area: “projectile alley.”
“We’re throwing our resources into this now to see if we can help solve this so we can bring this to an end so people can travel … without the fear and/or any apprehension about something hitting their car,” said John Thornburg, a spokesman for the Sheriff’s Office, according to KSBW.
There have been 42 attacks on the stretch of 101 since February, KSBW reports.
Deputies are promising a $2,500 reward “for any information that leads to the identification and arrest of the individual or individuals responsible.”
“If you have any information regarding these incidents, please contact the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Tip Line at (888) 833-4847,” deputies said.
The Sheriff’s Office said Monterey County Supervisor John Phillips’ office also is chipping in money, and so is a local couple, according to KSBW, bringing the total reward to $4,000.
“It’s nice to see people in the community stepping up rather than just complaining about something and to step up and be part of the solution,” Phillips said, according to KSBW.
Attacks have occurred as recently as this week: A van headed south on 101 in north Monterey County was struck with a flying object on Monday, rattling the six people inside and breaking the window but resulting in no injuries, KION reported. It was the fourth case of projectile attacks on the highway in as many days — and two of those caused minor injuries, according to the TV station.
The attacks have left drivers apprehensive.
“We’re scared to get on the highway,” said Rosemary Anaya of Hollister, according to KPIX. “Something’s got to be done, they got to figure out a way to get this to stop.”
A California Highway Patrol spokesman said the injuries have all been minor and the youngest victim was 5, according to KPIX, which reports that “the culprit or culprits mainly target the driver’s window or the left-side passenger window.”
Attacks have also been reported on Highway 156, KPIX reports.
CHP said that authorities believe the attacks are intentional, NBC Bay Area reports — including a recent attack on Friday, when “a bus carrying a football team from Carmel High School was struck by a projectile as it traveled ... to San Jose for a playoff game, leaving one student with minor injuries.”
This story was originally published November 27, 2019 at 9:24 PM with the headline "‘We’re scared to get on the highway.’ California cops investigate projectiles on 101."
