Trucker suspected of damaging cars with a slingshot on I-74 as similar reports emerge on I-65

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A Wisconsin truck driver suspected of using a slingshot and metal ball bearings to damage multiple cars as he drove on Interstate 74 in Illinois is now facing criminal charges.

And authorities say they wouldn't be surprised if additional charges follow in multiple Midwest states, including Indiana.

On Friday, 53-year-old Kevin Lee Casey of Janesville, Wis. was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage to property, aggravated battery in a public place and aggravated battery to a child, according to the Illinois State Police.

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During a Monday morning press conference, Illinois State Police Investigative Commander Jason Henderson said that Casey's arrest ended a two-month operation that began with reported window damage on March 30. He added that there have been as many as 45 reports of damage, but Casey's current charges relate to just four.

"We take these acts very seriously as they represent a clear and present danger to the public," Henderson said Monday. "This investigation was truly like finding a needle in a haystack."

Casey's charges are related to damage done in Champaign County in Illinois, including a May 8 incident where a 3-year-old was injured by broken glass, Henderson said. Over the weekend, Casey's bond was set at $2 million.

He remains in the Champaign County Jail.

When questioned by police, Casey told investigators he was shooting at vehicles with a slingshot and ball bearings while driving his semi. A search of his vehicle resulted in the discovery of metal ball bearings and goods to make slingshots.

Henderson said he would not go into all of the specifics of how police were able to locate Casey, but he noted that a pattern began to develop that helped them narrow down their search.

He said investigators noticed that the incidents were usually reported on Wednesday and Friday; that minivans were usually targeted; and that the damage was usually on the driver's side of the vehicles.

The damage and pattern is similar to incidents recently reported on Interstate 65 in Central Indiana.

Late last week, the Boone County Sheriff's Office, the Lebanon Police Department and the Whitestown Police Department issued a joint statement warning motorists of nine incidents on I-65 between March 21 and May 24.

In seven of the Indiana incidents, damage was reported to the driver's side of the vehicles. The two other incidents resulted in damaged windshields.

Henderson could not comment directly on any out-of-state cases, but said that it would not be surprising if additional charges related to Casey's suspected actions are filed in Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin, Virginia and West Virginia.

Indiana law enforcement officials told IndyStar Monday that it is still too early to consider Casey a suspect in the local cases. They are working with Illinois authorities to determine if there is a connection.

The investigation is ongoing.

Call IndyStar reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter: @justinlmack.