Man arrested after damaging 81 vehicles in Shockoe Bottom: 'I just think it's sad'

RICHMOND, Va. — A man is in custody after police say he used bricks to damage 81 vehicles in Richmond's Shockoe Bottom neighborhood Tuesday morning.

Officers responded to a report of a male damaging vehicles near East Grace and Ambler Streets, which is near Main Street Station, around 11:16 a.m.

Upon arrival, officers took Tyler Holtrust, 33, of no fixed address, into custody.

He's been charged with one count of felony destruction of property and eight counts of misdemeanor destruction of property. Police say that additional charges are pending.

Sydney Lee witnessed the Holtrust's arrest, and said she heard from police that he had used bricks to smash the windshields.

Full Interview: Witness saw man arrested after damaging over 90 vehicles with bricks

"I pulled into my spot and I noticed that the car in front of me had their windshield smashed out. Then I noticed the car next to them had it smashed out, and then I noticed that it was this entire row was completely, like, all of their windows were smashed. I got out and started talking to the officer who was taking pictures. He had told me that it was one guy who came through with a brick, and that he was just smashing all the windows. Later, I found out through another officer that he had multiple bricks, as some were left in the windows," Lee said.

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Richmond Police Department investigators and VCU Police are working to identify and locate the owners of the damaged vehicles.

Full Interview: Woman returns to find her car damaged in Shockoe Bottom vandalism spree

Claire Miller, who parks in the area for work, returned to find her windshield cracked along with those of other vehicles.

"I just came out here a few minutes ago after work and I noticed there were some tow trucks and other cars that looked as if they were quite damaged, and then I started to see the windshields that were cracked and I was really praying that mine was not cracked," Miller said. "But it is, and so now I've been on the phone with insurance and my mom and trying to get a hold of the Richmond City Police to figure this out."

Miller said she was still trying to process the situation.

"I am super worked up. I'm trying to calm down, but it's hard to, you know, be calmed down when this is the instance with 92 other cars," Miller said. "I just think it's sad. Richmond is a great city and it's a great place to be. I park here and I go into the city about three times a week for work. I've always felt safe minus a few occasions, but I definitely won't be ever parking here again."

Anyone who believes their vehicle may have been damaged in the area is asked to contact Officer S. McNeil at (804) 646-3602 or Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000.

RPD

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