Multiple Cars Vandalized In Winthrop, Police Release Surveillance Video

WINTHROP (CBS) -- Winthrop Police are asking the public to help identify a suspect who was caught on camera smashing a car window during the early morning hours of Christmas Eve.

Police said between the hours of midnight and 7 a.m. on Dec. 24, about five cars were similarly damaged.

Surveillance video shows a person jumping out of a white Honda Fit and hitting the back window of a car parked on the street with what police believe is a baseball bat. They then get back in the car and it drives away.

"Certainly around the holiday season it makes it that much worse, especially senseless crimes like breaking people's windows for no particular reason," said Winthrop Police Chief Terence Delehanty.

Even police weren't spared this time. The vandals hit a truck owned by the chief's brother, who's a Winthrop detective.

"Everyone becomes a victim. We become victims as well," Chief Delehanty said. "We live in these neighborhoods and certainly there's no rhyme or reason."

Police say the vandalism is not related to the rash of vehicle break-ins scattered throughout Winthrop only two days later.

Detectives looking for information in both cases.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Timothy Callinan or Detective Faton Ramadani at 617-846-1212.