Grand Prairie businesses shot up by BB gun

Police in Grand Prairie are investigating a series of vandalism cases targeting Main Street businesses.

They say someone in a pickup truck has been firing a BB gun at businesses on a regular basis since February. The total of cases has reached nearly two dozen. Police hope surveillance video will help them catch someone before it happens again.

Grand Prairie police say the offenses are happening between 4:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. while all of the businesses are closed. A few of the shootings were captured on surveillance video. The suspect driving a very distinct pickup truck.

Millie Smith is at her wit's end. Her Embroidery and Bling Boutique has been hit twice by BB gun vandalism.

“When it happened to the door, I was fed up,” she said. “I was ready to pack up and go home.”

Since February 8, Grand Prairie police say the person driving this older model black Dodge pickup truck with chrome wheels and distinctive headlights has shot up at least 21 businesses on the downtown strip.

“We believe its isolated to Grand Prairie,” said Grand Prairie Police Officer Mark Beseda. “We believe that its someone who lives close by maybe in one of the neighborhoods and frequent the Main Street area. It’s a weapon. It’s a gun. It can kill people. It can damage property, so we take it very seriously.”

Surveillance cameras set up by police have captured the same pickup truck driving up and down Main Street on several occasions.

“You feel like you’re being robbed in a sense,” said Karen Wlodarczwk, co-owner of Five Star Flooring and Remodeling.

Frustrated business owners say they refuse to make further repairs until someone is caught.

Smith is trying to make the best of what has been a very stressful situation.

Wlodarczwk says they’ve spent $3,000 so far replacing the windows.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for anyone with information leading to an arrest.