Leetsdale Man Faces Multiple Charges for BB Gun Vandalism Spree

Two local police departments have charged a Leetsdale man with numerous counts after a vandalism spree last month that spanned several communities.

20, of Broad Street, faces eight counts of criminal mischief, and two counts each of possessing instruments of a crime, illegally carrying or discharging air rifles and disorderly conduct. He is also charged with one count of recklessly endangering another person.

According to a criminal complaint, Edgeworth police and Leetsdale police received multiple reports of vandalism overnight Aug. 6.

Edgeworth police said the front glass storm door was shot out at a house on Maple Lane while the resident was home. A Volvo S90 on Meadow Lane and a Mercedes SUV on Chestnut Road both had windows shot out with a BB gun, as did a Chevy Avalanche on Hazel Lane, where the vehicle was also egged.

Leetsdale police had similar incidents on Washington Street where a BB gun was used to shoot out the windows of two Ford F-150s, a Hyundai Elantra and a Chevy work truck belonging to Snyder of Berlin. Police said the work truck was rummaged through and two of the vehicles were egged.

Edgeworth police received a tip that Diewald was involved. During an interview, police said he confessed that he and three friends, who have not been charged, were riding in a friend’s car when they began shooting their BB guns at random targets through Edgeworth, Leetsdale, Leet Township and Sewickley. 

Police said the males started out targeting trees and road signs, but later began shooting at windows on cars and houses. Edgeworth police retrieved two pistol-style BB guns that Diewald admitted were used in the vandalism spree, police said. 

Charges have not been filed in the Sewickley and Leet incidents. 

Diewald is currently serving probation for a vandalism spree last year in Leetsdale and Edgeworth. 

The Charges

Edgeworth police: four counts of criminal mischief, and one count each of possessing instruments of a crime, illegal carrying or discharging air rifles, disorderly conduct and recklessly endangering another person.

Leetsdale police: four counts of criminal mischief, and one count each of possessing instruments of a crime, illegal carrying or discharging air rifles and disorderly conduct.