Courtesy Photo­Image Windows bashed at the mall.

Courtesy Photo­Image Justin Belsky

Reports of vandalism continue to increase from a massive vandalism spree that started shortly after midnight Monday in North Platte and continued for nearly three hours.

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By noon Monday, police said they had nearly 125 reports. By the same time Tuesday they had at least 180 separate reports with more still arriving, police spokesman Rodney Brown said.

Police said that dozens of cars were damaged along city streets, as well as commercial windows at the Gas Stop and CarQuest on E. Fourth, at Carhart Lumber on W. Front and at the Cash N Go on S. Dewey.

Four glass repair companies in North Platte told the Bulletin at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday that they had received a total of 285 reports of damage.

Some reports might be in the same location, Brown said.

Police ask victims to report damage in person if possible and obtain an estimated dollar amount with them. The police department is in the city's Public Safety Building at 715 S. Jeffers.

The calls started around 12:45 a.m. Monday morning, when a North Platte police officer responded to a reported vandalism in the parking lot of the Platte River Mall. A juvenile victim said both rear tires were slit and several windows damaged on his vehicle. The windows were apparently hit with a blunt object.

It was the first of many reports of damaged vehicles and windows of commercial businesses, police said.

Police spokesman Rodney Brown said initial reports said the suspects could possibly be in a light colored van.

Around 3:30 a.m., a police officer stopped a light gray Chevrolet Lumina van owned and driven by Justin Belsky, 20, of North Platte.

There were three juveniles in the car. Belsky told the officer that there were BB guns in the car too.

Investigators found probable cause to arrest Belsky for contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a class 1 misdemeanor, and took him to the Lincoln County Jail.

All three juveniles were released into the custody of their parent or guardian. One was cited for violating curfew, police said.

Due to the large number of vandalism reports and an unknown value of total damages, none of the suspects were immediately cited for criminal mischief, while investigators add up the counts.

Anyone with information regarding this incident or any similar incidents are encouraged to call the North Platte Police Department 308-535-6789. Anonymous information can be given by calling 534-8400 or submitted online at www.lincolncountycrimstoppers.com.

To let people see the extent of damages, email photos to george@northplattebulletin.