Teens terrorize couple: Seven already arrested for 1 a.m. attack

By DUANE SHERRILL / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Christie Bain stands beside boarded-up windows at her home on Hennessee Bridge Road, where vandals reportedly used BB guns and threw rocks, knocked glass out of windows and doors, damaged security lights and damaged vehicles. (Amy Satterwhite photo)

Seven teens face charges and more will likely be arrested after they terrorized a Rock Island couple, causing over $10,000 worth of damage to their house during a night of vandalism.

“I’ve never been so terrified in all my life,” said Christie Bain, recalling the recent attack on her house on Hennessee Bridge Road. “I heard a bump outside and the next thing I know glass is flying everywhere.”

Bain said she and her fianc?, Billy Dunlap, ducked the flying glass as they scampered to call 911 when the assault began around 1 a.m.

“We thought someone was coming in to get us,” Bain recalled, noting both the doors and windows of their house exploded inwards in the surprise attack. “We had no idea who was doing this, how many there were or why they were doing this. We had no way of knowing it was a bunch of kids.”

According to Sheriff Jackie Matheny, officers have charged seven suspects, all between the ages of 13 and 17, with vandalism over $1,000. They will appear in Juvenile Court today.

An investigation revealed the teens allegedly broke windows and doors using BB and pellet guns, paint ball guns and rocks. Digging spades were used to smash two cars in the driveway.

The house sustained extensive damage, including breakage of many windows and doors along with other structural damage. Both cars also sustained significant cosmetic damage.

Bain says she does not understand why the teens attacked their house, given the fact it was apparent someone was at home. Some lights along with their TV were on in the house and both of their vehicles were clearly parked in the drive.

“It must have been a full moon or something,” Bain said, indicating she did not know any of the teens charged with the attack. The couple rents the home.

Matheny said lawmen are not clear on what prompted the vandalism. If convicted, the teens could face fine and/or public service work and supervised probation. Should any of the teens have a prior juvenile record, they could face the possibility of confinement with juvenile services.

The incident of mass destruction on the part of juveniles is the third in a year. Last year, a group of youths known as the Westwood Warriors vandalized property in the Westwood area by spray painting vehicles and property. Earlier this month, a group of youths, some as young as 8 years old, were charged with vandalizing a concrete company and church in Westwood, leaving tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Their case is pending.