TRIO ARRESTED IN WRIST ROCKET SHOTS AT CARS STEEL PELLETS CAUSE DAMAGE.

Byline: PATRICIA FARRELL AIDEM Staff Writer

STEVENSON RANCH -- Three 18-year-olds were arrested Wednesday night on suspicion of firing tiny steel balls at moving cars, hitting at least eight of them and shattering windows, a sheriff's official said Thursday.

The suspects used a high-power slingshot called a wrist rocket to propel 9.5 mm ball bearings at cars in the Stevenson Ranch area, Lt. Brenda Cambra said.

Andrew Helmus of Stevenson Ranch, Scott Gray of Valencia and Zane Graham of Newhall were booked on suspicion of felony vandalism and shooting at a moving vehicle, Cambra said. Damage was estimated at well over $5,000.

The three were arrested based on information provided by a bus driver who reported a window on his bus was hit. He saw a vehicle that had been parked in a lot speed away, and he included its description in his report to sheriff's deputies. A deputy spotted the car, pulled it over and subsequently arrested the trio, Cambra said.

Sheriff's officials put the word out in case any other victims might come forward, Cambra said.

The vandalism occurred Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in the Stevenson Ranch area. So far, it does not appear to have been linked to a shooting at Valencia Boulevard and McBean Parkway, where a motorist's windows were shattered as she drove.

pat.aidem(at)dailynews.com

[phone]