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Targeted were Tops for Shoes, Woolworth Walk, Downtown Books, and Lou Lou Boutique
From Staff Reports
The most recent highly publicized incident of vandalism in downtown Asheville included the smashing of windows — and of at least one door — at four businesses — Tops for Shoes, Woolworth Walk, Downtown Books and Lou Lou Boutique.
The incident occurred on the night of Sept. 27 or early Sept. 28.
The affected merchants, as well as neighboring businesses, were “on edge†afterward, according Asheville television station WLOS (News 13).
However, the Asheville Police Department reported on Oct. 5 that a suspect (Westley Aaron Williams) was arrested earlier that day in the downtown window-smashing case. (A separate story on Williams’ arrest appears below.)
Meanwhile, News 13 reported that this “is part of a bigger issue, according to retail workers downtown. And they fear for the safety of their customers and themselves... Damaged windows leave retail workers worried about future of downtown businesses...."
Immediately after the incident, the APD reportedly was still awaiting surveillance footage to help track down who did it.
“We were able to locate some physical evidence,†Lt. Mike McClanahan told News 13. “We’re continuing our investigation to determine who the perpetrator was.â€
Also, the TV station reported that “the damage was only shattered glass, and nothing was stolen.â€
On Sept. 26, Asheville police added that there is no immediate threat on either Haywood or Lexington.
Alleged business ‘window-smasher’ arrested by APD, while waving a knife
From Staff Reports
Asheville Police Department officers have charged and arrested the man who allegedly smashed windows of numerous downtown Asheville businesses on Sept. 27, the APD reported in an Oct. 5 press release.
APD Patrol Officers initially responded to the area of Pritchard Park on Patton Avenue around 8:15 a.m. Sept. 27 to investigate a report of a man waving a knife around and making threats to passing vehicles.
When officers arrived, they located Westley Aaron Williams.
“Williams was safely taken into custody and charged with going armed to terror of the public,†the APD release stated. “Further investigation by officers revealed that Williams was also responsible for the property damage of numerous downtown businesses that occurred earlier that morning in which the windows were smashed.â€
Williams was charged with five counts of injury to personal property.
Williams is currently being held in the Buncombe County Detention Facility under a $7,000 secured bond (or $700 to a bondsman) issued by the magistrate.
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