Him on video doing the deed
SOUTHLAKE — Tips keep pouring into Southlake police after releasing the now-infamous video of a gray-haired man using a key to vandalize a Hummer.
The crime was captured on the vehicle's own surveillance system, which had been installed because it had previously been defaced in a similar way.
There have been no arrests yet, but there is legitimate speculation that this could be a case of suburban eco-terrorism against a certain gas-guzzling SUV.
Police say they don't yet know the identity of the man videotaped using his key to gouge "X" marks into the side of a Hummer.
But the Classic Hummer dealership in Grapevine knows that mark well. Their body shop has seen dozens of similar vandalisms in recent months.
"This guy, he's an eco-terrorist, and he ought to pay for his crime," said dealership spokesman Steve Hurley. "I mean, it's a criminal act."
In each case, three "X"-marks are scratched into the vehicle — one on each side and another on the tailgate.
Danny Hill's H2 Hummer was struck. "The guy looked like in the video that he knew what he was doing," Hill said.
No one knows yet if the cluster of vandalism can be linked to a single man, or if it is the work of a group of tree-hugging Hummer-haters.
The vandalism alone is a serious crime that carries a hefty fine of up to $20,000 and possible jail time.
Turned himself in
SOUTHLAKE — Southlake police said Friday they have arrested a man wanted in connection with the vandalism of a Hummer sport utility vehicle.
The man, identified as 72-year-old James Jeppe of Southlake, is charged with malicious mischief in the case. Police said he turned himself in.
Jeppe was released Friday afternoon on $1,000 bond.
A surveillance system installed on the Hummer captured the crime in a Southlake parking lot earlier this month. A man resembling Jeppe was seen using a key to scratch three "X's" into the paint.
Detectives believe Jeppe vandalized the vehicle because he was stressed over money.
A local Hummer dealer said Thursday he has seen a series of other vehicles with very similar patterns of vandalism.
72 year old man keys Hummer - Gets caught on H2's video alarm system
