By TOM COYNE
Associated Press Writer
CROWN POINT, Ind.- State police and several federal agencies have joined a task force investigating reports that nine vehicles in northwestern Indiana may have been struck by gunfire.
“We believe at this point that we need to take every measure in this area and utilize every resource possible to apprehend this person and protect our citizens,” Lake County Sheriff Roy Dominguez said Monday.
The cars were damaged between July 25 and Aug. 4. The incidents began two days after a series of sniper shootings on Interstate 65 near Seymour and I-69 near Muncie in which a man was killed and another was injured.
Zachariah Blanton, 17, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, attempted murder and three counts of criminal recklessness in those shootings.
Authorities investigating the damaged vehicles have not found slugs or shell casings, but Dominguez said officials believe the damage was caused by a firearm, pellet gun or some other weapon.
Authorities believe the nine incidents are related, although the sheriff said more than one person might be involved.
Mark Becker, supervisory agent for the FBI’s Merrillville office, said the agency is working on a profile on the suspect or suspects.
“We certainly believe the person is unstable,” he said. “No one in their right mind would try to create this kind of havoc,” he said.