A 28-year-old man was behind bars on Tuesday for allegedly breaking a series of windows in downtown Palm Springs.
According to the Palm Springs Police Department, Ernest Wildon Mecca of Redding in Shasta County was arrested early Monday in Palm Springs on suspicion of vandalism, possession of illegal paraphernalia and carrying a dagger or dagger concealed.
“Police in Palm Springs have learned of a series of vandalisms involving broken windows in the downtown core,” police said in a statement. “An unidentified person destroyed windows with rocks at various establishments in downtown Palm Springs.”
Officers quickly identified and arrested Mecca for allegedly vandalizing Johannes and Division Menswear, according to police. Other businesses vandalized included Fudge and Chocolates, Grand Central and Salon 119 Beauty and Spa.
Mecca was held at the John J. Benoit Detention Center in Indio on $10,000 bond.
“Investigators are working to establish potential links between Makkah and other acts of vandalism that occurred in the same vicinity,” police said in a statement. “The police will thoroughly investigate acts of vandalism and fully prosecute those who commit these acts.”
Anyone with information about the vandalized business, including CCTV that could help the investigation, has been asked to contact PSPD Detective Matt Steed at 760-323-8157.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Man Arrested in Series of Vandalism Incidents in Palm Springs