81-year-old arrested after police say he terrorized a California neighbourhood with a slingshot

A flashing light on top of a police cruiser is seen in this stock image. (Shutterstock)

AZUSA, Calif. -

An 81-year-old man who investigators say terrorized a Southern California neighbourhood for years with a slingshot has been arrested, police said.

While conducting an investigation, detectives "learned that during the course of nine-to-10 years, dozens of citizens were being victimized by a serial slingshot shooter," the Asuza Police Department said in a statement.

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The man is suspected of breaking windows and car windshields and of narrowly missing people with ball bearings shot from a slingshot, the statement said. No injuries were reported.

The man was arrested Thursday after officers served a search warrant and found a slingshot and ball bearings at his home in Asuza, about 25 miles (40 kilometres) east of Los Angeles, police said.

Azusa police Lt. Jake Bushey said Saturday that detectives learned that most of the ball bearings were shot from the suspect's backyard.

"We're not aware of any kind of motive other than just malicious mischief," Bushey told the Southern California News Group.

He was scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

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