A 35-year-old Irvine man was behind bars Wednesday on suspicion of vandalizing multiple vehicles in Irvine and Newport Beach.
Shallom Han was arrested Sunday, but released on bail Monday, and then was again arrested on Tuesday, according to jail records.
Irvine police were called to parking structures at Park Plaza last Thursday after several vehicles were found to have been vandalized, Irvine police Sgt. Karie Davies said.
One of the vehicles, a Tesla, captured the vandal in the act using a sharp object to scratch up the paint, Davies said.
Several other vehicles nearby were also scratched up between May 19 and Friday, Davies said.
On Friday and Saturday, seven more vehicles were scratched up at an apartment community at 2777 Alton, Davies said. Video surveillance showed the same suspect walking through the parking structure at the apartment complex, Davies said.
Police estimated the damage to the vehicles at about $50,000.
When surveillance video was shared on social media, someone called police to identify the suspect, which led to Han’s arrest on Sunday in Costa Mesa, Davies said.
In Newport Beach, police were called just before 4 p.m. Friday about vandalized cars in a parking structure near Newport Center and Santa Rosa drives, according to Newport Beach police.
Police found evidence that six vehicles were scratched, causing about $40,000 in damage, police said.
Anyone with information helpful to Newport Beach police investigation were asked to call 949-644-3761 or email dspenser@nbpd.org. Irvine police asked anyone with information to call 949-724-7188, or email dettinger@cityofirvine.org.