Window Shooting Suspects Busted in Salem

The action continued as police investigated, soon another incident led police to the suspects.

Photo of slingshot police recovered, they say it was used to bust many windows in Salem. Photo: Salem Police

(SALEM, Ore.) - Salem Police say they have received numerous reports over the past week of windows being broken, most likely shot out, during the evening hours. Salem Police Lt. Dave Okada says the incidents occurred throughout the City, and in some cases small metal balls were recovered at the scene.

"The total number of incidents is unknown at this time, but it is suspected that there are at least 20 incidents with damages estimated to be well over $15,000."

Okada says Officer Jon Hardy was taking another report of a similar incident at Coffee In Motion on Mission St SE at approximately 9:51 PM on Tuesday.

"While Officer Hardy was still in the area checking for the suspects, he received a call from employees at Coffee In Motion stating that they had just heard what sounded like another incident of a window being shot, then a car alarm going off immediately afterwards."

Witnesses reported seeing a white Chevrolet Caprice in the area at the time of the incident. As Hardy was broadcasting this possible suspect vehicle information to other officers, he received a report of another window being shot out at a restaurant on Commercial St SE, Okada said.

"As officers continued to watch for the suspect vehicle throughout the City, Officer Ryan Demmer spotted a vehicle matching the description of the suspect vehicle on 41st Ave NE. Upon making contact with the vehicle and its occupants, Officers Demmer and Hardy were able to establish probable cause to detain and ultimately arrest the three suspects."

21-year old Jesse Lee Stewart, 24-year old Behzad Rajain and 19-year old Jesse Adam Luna, were arrested on six counts of first-degree Criminal Mischief; 15 counts of second-degree Criminal Mischief; three counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person and 21 counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon.

Okada says officers were also able to recover numerous small metal balls from the vehicle as well as a wrist mounted slingshot.