Texas Police Offer $10,000 for Information on Rock-Throwing Incident

Jan. 12--Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo, angry and alarmed at the rising number of incidents in which rocks are being hurled onto Interstate 35 motorists, said Tuesday that his department is working with federal officials and using an array of tactics to find the perpetrators.

The department announced a $10,000 reward from the Greater Austin Crime Commission for information about the cases, and urged anyone with information about them to call 911.

Acevedo declined to discuss specific police efforts, saying it could jeopardize police attempts to find and arrest whoever is committing the acts. The department's previous confirmation that it was using cameras caused the attacker or attackers to change locations, he said.

"We aren't going to rest until we catch the persons responsible for this unwarranted, cowardly attack on motorists," Acevedo told the American-Statesman and KVUE-TV. He said the attacker is playing "Russian roulette" with drivers' lives.

Acevedo wouldn't say what other agencies are involved in the investigation, but added that Austin police have devoted more than 15,000 police hours to solving the crimes.

"It's only a matter of time before we capture these suspects," he said.

In the past 18 months, police have confirmed 52 incidents in which rocks or other objects were thrown onto car windshields from overpasses. The incidents have critically injured one man and caused minor injuries to others. Cars also have been severely damaged.

The most recent incidents happened over the weekend when a Williamson County ambulance was significantly damaged at 1:20 a.m. Sunday near Tech Ridge Boulevard.

An ambulance with Williamson County Emergency Medical Services was returning to Georgetown after taking a patient to Dell Children's Medical Center when a rock hit the front of the vehicle, a county spokeswoman said.

About 40 minutes later, a car also was struck close to downtown Austin near 11th Street.

Acevedo wouldn't say whether he thinks the incidents are the work of one person, a group or possibly involve copycat attackers.

He said that victims should call police immediately after the incidents once they reach a safe place. Police said that when some victims waited until the next day, it hindered police efforts to capture any perpetrators.

Acevedo said his department is ready to inundate areas with officers once it receives a report.

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