Suspect Named in String of Vandalism

Charges are pending for a suspect allegedly connected to more than 20 acts of vandalism in the city over the past two months, according to the . 

Michael Poret, 58, of Encino is also  reported recently in the San Fernando Valley, in which windows to homes and businesses were shattered. The cases were similar to those reported in Beverly Hills.

Poret was arrested by the BHPD after a July 3 traffic stop. An officer reported seeing a slingshot on Poret's floorboard soon after a call had come in about an act of vandalism on the 700 block of North Roxbury Drive. Poret's car—a dark colored Toyota Camry without license plates—matched a vehicle captured on video that was associated with another vandalism crime the previous day, police said. Poret was subsequently arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism and miscellaneous weapons charges.

An inventory of Poret's car following the arrest uncovered numerous slingshots, slingshot ammunition, projectiles, knives, switchblades and throwing stars. Poret, who the Los Angeles Times reported was recently placed on administrative leave from his job at  in Beverly Hills, was released on bail.

According to the Times, Poret was arrested again on July 12 after an early morning raid on his Encino home, where Los Angeles police said they discovered firearms, BB guns, slingshots and marbles similar to those used in the vandalism cases.

The raid on Poret's home came after Beverly Hills police detectives shared the information of Poret's July 3 arrest with detectives in the LAPD's West Valley and Van Nuys Divisions.

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