Route 144 and Triadelphia Road in Howard County, Maryland (Google Maps)WEST FRIENDSHIP, Md. -
Police arrested a man they say tried to damage a speed camera van by shooting it with glass marbles fired from a sling shot.
The incident happened Tuesday in West Friendship, Maryland.
The speed camera van was parked along the side of Route 144 and Tridelphia Road near Manor Woods elementary school.
Police say a motorist, identified as 50 year-old Bruce Lawrence May, drove by the speed camera van and fired glass marbles at it with a sling shot.
The operator of the speed camera van contacted officers who quickly stopped and arrested May who faces charges of second degree assault, destruction of property and reckless endangerment. He posted a $3,000 bond and was released.
Investigators say May had received two speed camera violations in the last few weeks.
Howard County Police say this is the third incident this month involving damage to speed camera vans. On June 13, an unknown object was thrown at a van near Waverly Elementary School in Ellicott City, breaking the back window.
On June 12, police say rocks were thrown through the window of a State Highway Administration speed camera van on U.S. 29 near Route 103, striking the operator and damaging the equipment and vehicle.
Police are investigating to see whether the three incidents are related but have not yet made that determination.
"We are taking these incidents very seriously," said Police Chief William McMahon.
"Even if you are not a supporter of the speed camera program, lashing out and endangering individual employees is notan appropriate way to express your opinion. We will continue to investigate these incidents and will charge suspects who are engaged in this activity to the fullest extent of the law."
