A mysterious drive-by marble shooter has smashed display windows of a large East London motor dealership for the 12th time in just over a year, causing significant damage and narrowly missing a woman employee’s leg.
“These marbles are punching holes into 10mm-thick safety glass.”
He said the dealership had decided to offer the R10000 reward before someone got hurt. “Whether it’s a marble or a bullet, it’s still a projectile and we have to flush this person out.”
Pirzenthal said the shootings usually happened between 3pm and 5pm on Friday afternoons.
“I haven’t heard it happening to other showrooms. I think they are using a very powerful catapult or a paintball gun.”
Targetline assistant manager and shooting enthusiast Jacques Husselmann said the weapon was most likely a “fancy cattie” (catapult).
“A marble is too small for a paintball gun and wouldn’t get the pressure behind it to propel it. You get some potent catapults. There is one with a range of 200m and if you shoot it at about 30m it would damage a safety window.”
Speaking to the Dispatch of her shocking experience, Olivier said she had stepped out of the showroom on her way home last Thursday just after 5pm when she felt something brush past her trouser leg. “Then I heard a noise at the window and saw a marble roll away. It was nerve-wracking and I was shaking.”
Accountant Dean Westerberg said his colleague’s narrow escape propelled him to open a case.
He said three marbles had been handed to the police.
“This needs to stop. It’s dangerous to staff and customers.”
Pirzenthal estimated the seven damaged panes would cost between R8000 to R10000 each to replace.
- Anyone with information should call Dean at (043) 704-4031.
Marble attacker lets fly at car firm: R10 000 reward offered
“These marbles are punching holes into 10mm-thick safety glass.”
He said the dealership had decided to offer the R10000 reward before someone got hurt. “Whether it’s a marble or a bullet, it’s still a projectile and we have to flush this person out.”
Pirzenthal said the shootings usually happened between 3pm and 5pm on Friday afternoons.
“I haven’t heard it happening to other showrooms. I think they are using a very powerful catapult or a paintball gun.”
Targetline assistant manager and shooting enthusiast Jacques Husselmann said the weapon was most likely a “fancy cattie” (catapult).
“A marble is too small for a paintball gun and wouldn’t get the pressure behind it to propel it. You get some potent catapults. There is one with a range of 200m and if you shoot it at about 30m it would damage a safety window.”
Speaking to the Dispatch of her shocking experience, Olivier said she had stepped out of the showroom on her way home last Thursday just after 5pm when she felt something brush past her trouser leg. “Then I heard a noise at the window and saw a marble roll away. It was nerve-wracking and I was shaking.”
Accountant Dean Westerberg said his colleague’s narrow escape propelled him to open a case.
He said three marbles had been handed to the police.
“This needs to stop. It’s dangerous to staff and customers.”
Pirzenthal estimated the seven damaged panes would cost between R8000 to R10000 each to replace.
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