Police in Licking and Franklin counties are looking for multiple suspects accused of stealing a car in Upper Arlington before driving it to Johnstown and Newark to vandalize dozens of others.
Johnstown Police Chief Rusty Smart told The Advocate that at least three agencies — Johnstown, Newark and Upper Arlington police — are investigating the vehicle break-ins.
Police allege four to five people were involved and are working to identify them, Smart said. The suspects stole the car in Upper Arlington, drove it to Johnstown and Newark, where they broke into other cars before driving back to Franklin County, he said.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the stolen vehicle had not been found, Smart said. Police believe it was the only one suspects stole during the incident.
Investigators think the theft and vandalism spree between 9 p.m. and midnight Thursday, according to Johnstown police.
Around 35 cars in Johnstown either had broken windows or were found to have been rummaged through after officers assessed the scene, Smart said. Some of the cars were unlocked, while others had damaged windows, he said.