Suspect bashes in Dallas police cars with sledgehammer, police say

Authorities in Dallas arrested a 58-year-old man who allegedly smashed in the windows of 12 squad cars with a sledgehammer early Sunday morning.

The Dallas Police Association tweeted two photos showing two of the cars, one a black and white 4-door sedan and a white SUV, with the front and side windows with huge circular cracks. Dallas Police Department spokeswoman Diana Browning said that officers took Gregory Hal Simpson, of Dallas, into custody just before 8:30 a.m. on Sunday in connection with the incident.

Browning said Simpson came into the Central Patrol substation parking lot around 5 a.m. wielding a sledgehammer, then smashed 12 marked squad cars. Police indicated that he entered the substation through a gate near the City Detention Center at the Dallas Marshals Office.

Simpson was transported to the Lew Sterrett Justice Center and charged him with criminal mischief. He is currently being held in Dallas County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

The Dallas Police Association responded to the incident on Twitter writing, "This morning a suspect entered our central substation parking lot that’s STILL unsecured smashing 12 cars in total! These parking lots need to be secure."

No additional details have been given at this time.

This story was originally published February 4, 2018 at 7:34 PM with the headline "Suspect bashes in Dallas police cars with sledgehammer, police say."