Sherman Oaks News
Window Smash Suspect Captured
By Damian Kelly
Jul 17, 2012 - 3:04:18 PM

SHERMAN OAKS—A man allegedly responsible for a series of window smashes along Ventura Boulevard since the beginning of 2012 has been arrested by Los Angeles Police Department detectives.

The West Valley Community Police Station. Photo courtesy of Facebook

The LAPD blog indicates that in the early morning of Thursday, July 12, burglary and narcotics detectives from LAPD’s West Valley Community Police Station arrived at the Encino home of 58-year-old Michael Steven Poret with a search warrant. 

Detectives searching Poret’s home recovered evidence such as bb guns, sling shots, firearms and marbles which were similar to the items used in the vandalisms.  Upon these discoveries, Poret was arrested and booked for felony vandalism.  He is being held at Van Nuys Jail on $60,000 bail.

The window smash crimes occurred along Ventura Boulevard between Haskell Avenue and Balboa Boulevard in Sherman Oaks but also went as far as Woodland Hills.  Most of the incidents occurred during hours of darkness, in the early morning or late evening. Police say the incidents of vandalism had been escalating in recent months.

Anyone with information about these acts of vandalism is asked to contact West Valley Burglary Detectives William Dunn or Luie Velasquez at 818-374-7730.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to (877) 527-3247.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "WebTips" and follow the prompts.