Hollywood : 1 Sought in Window Smashing

The windows of more than 30 cars have been smashed in the Hollywoodland area of Beachwood Canyon since last December, according to the owner of a private security patrol.

John A. Spates, who has operated Hollywoodland Patrol Inc. for 12 years, says the crimes are the work of a single vandal using a multipump air rifle. Spates likened the weapon to a BB gun.

Detective Bill Berndt of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Hollywood Division said he is working on the case , but “we don’t have anything going--no description of the suspect . “

Berndt said the majority of victims do not tell police about such incidents but instead report them to the private patrol service.

Judy Albert, dispatcher for the Hollywoodland Patrol, said: “People don’t report it to the police or to their insurance companies because most windows cost about $200 to replace, and most people’s deductibles are $250 to $300.

A proposal to offer a reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandal is under consideration by the Hollywoodland Homeowners Assn., according to Christine O’Brien, the group’s president.