By Kristen Shepard
Staff Writer
Coppell police arrested Nicholas Monroe Morehart on Saturday as he was charged with a series of car vandalisms and other criminal mischief in the community, with several victims being Coppell High School students.
Morehart, a former Coppell student, faces several serious charges for his conviction including two Class A Misdemeanors for his recent burning of two American flags and his evading arrest. Even more seriously, Moreheart was convicted of one 3rd degree felony for criminal mischief resulting in destruction of over $20,000 worth of property.
On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, more than 20 vehicles were reported vandalized, bringing the total of vandalisms to over 60 cars since mid-July. Ranging in severity, almost all crimes shared several similar characteristics, specifically scratching and tire slashing. Police reported that the vast majority of the vandalisms occurred between midnight and 6 a.m.
Senior Sam Fillingim experienced the issue first hand.
One night during the week of Aug. 28, Fillingim’s father noticed a scratch on the side of his white Volkswagen Passat, about six inches in length. His father asked if he had scratched it accidentally and Fillingim knew nothing about the issue and, at that point, realized that the car had been vandalized.
“I was pretty sure I wasn’t being targeted because I didn’t really think anyone was out to get me,” Fillingim said. “It just goes to show that anyone is at risk. Our car that was parked on the street was the one that got scratched, but the one in the garage was left fine.”
Because the damage wasn’t too severe, the Fillingims decided not to report it to the police.
To victims in general, however, crimes like these can be expensive and inconvenient to endure. Damages can cost up to $500 to repair, and certain types of vandalisms, like tire slashing, can impair a car from being street-legal.
Coppell High School assistant principal Sean Bagley encourages students and adults alike to report any information on criminal mischief they have to the Coppell Crime Commission, an organization dedicated to making Coppell a safer community.
“We believe that if used, the commission can play a vital role in solving crimes,” Bagley said. ”A few years ago, people could only earn about $25 or $30 for tips, but now the organization is sponsored and people with information can received anywhere from $200 to $1000. The idea behind the commission is to reward the supporters who help bring justice to the community.”
In response to the vandalism, students are being cautious with their vehicles. While there is no guarantee that any one car is completely safe from vandalism, there are some important precautions to take that can put a vehicle at lower risk. Most importantly though, any driver should consider the location where the car has been parked. Look for areas that are well lit and park in a garage when able.
“It only makes sense to pay attention to where you park and leave your car. With things like this going on, I definitely think that it’s important to focus on keeping your car safe,” sophomore Natalie Hinson said.
