Hummer vandal called 'eco-terrorist'

WFAA ^ | 9/22/2008 | Janet St. James

[markomalley]

SOUTHLAKE — Tips keep pouring into Southlake police after releasing the now-infamous video of a gray-haired man using a key to vandalize a Hummer.

The crime was captured on the vehicle's own surveillance system, which had been installed because it had previously been defaced in a similar way.

There have been no arrests yet, but there is legitimate speculation that this could be a case of suburban eco-terrorism against a certain gas-guzzling SUV.

Police say they don't yet know the identity of the man videotaped using his key to gouge "X" marks into the side of a Hummer.

But the Classic Hummer dealership in Grapevine knows that mark well. Their body shop has seen dozens of similar vandalisms in recent months.

"This guy, he's an eco-terrorist, and he ought to pay for his crime," said dealership spokesman Steve Hurley. "I mean, it's a criminal act."

In each case, three "X"-marks are scratched into the vehicle — one on each side and another on the tailgate.

Danny Hill's H2 Hummer was struck. "The guy looked like in the video that he knew what he was doing," Hill said.

No one knows yet if the cluster of vandalism can be linked to a single man, or if it is the work of a group of tree-hugging Hummer-haters.

The vandalism alone is a serious crime that carries a hefty fine of up to $20,000 and possible jail time.

[Cindy]

Eco terrorists getting serious prison time and hefty fines — very good.

[Red_Devil 232]

That is some very clear video. Someone should be able to ID this guy easly!

[Cindy]

One would think so.

OPINION-SPECULATION:

I wonder if the suspect will turn out to be a professor or a retired professor?

[MaryFromMichigan]

He has been identified.
Link here.

[driftdiver]

I hope they catch him and take everything he owns. Then put him in jail.

[BallyBill]

Then again, maybe Hummer Dude just cut the guy off or ran over his dog.

[Paladin2]

Book ‘em Dan-o.

[Red_Devil 232]

Thanks. He turned himself in ... says he was stressed over money! Well aren’t we all!

[BallyBill]

The article says the perp “was stressed over money”. WTH, I get stressed over money too, never made me want to vandalize peoples property.

[BookmanTheJanitor]

http://cbs2.com/watercooler/southlake.hummer.keying.2.821928.html

This artcle has some more background on the perp.

[Red_Devil 232]

They released him on $1000 bond ($100 out of pocket?) they had better watch him closely because he is more stressed now!!!

[MaryFromMichigan]

I liked Normy's comment from a previous thread, “It will actually be the Hummer owners fault for flaunting their money and making this man feel bad.”

[driftdiver]

He’s stressed because the hummer owner obviously needed to spend more money on his vehicle.

He’s a vandal and a liar IMO.

[jalisco555]

The article says the perp “was stressed over money”. WTH, I get stressed over money too, never made me want to vandalize peoples property.

What, you don't key cars when you get stressed over money? Geez, I thought everybody did.

[Mrs.Z]

SOUTHLAKE TEXAS eco-terrorist!!

He’s lucky to still be alive.

[don-o]

Book ‘em Dan-o.

Let ME do it!

[Liberty Valance]

"Jeppe lives in an upscale neighborhood where he serves on the board of his homeowners association. Neighbors describe him in that role as short fused and heavy handed."

LOL! HOA board member. Heavy handed AND extremely poor penmanship. ;o)

[LibLieSlayer]

Arresting this POS is not enough... if you know what I mean.

LLS

[Nick Thimmesch]

In Northwest DC last year a similiar thing happened to some poor mechanic with his vehicle (it may not have even been his — I think he was test driving it and had it at his home) and the local media actually pondered whether or not it was a righteous thing to do. Compare that to those who would do damage to an abortuary and suddened it becomes sacred ground.

Go figure.

[Hacklehead]

“The crime was captured on the vehicle’s own surveillance system, ...”

Forget the onboard surveillance, he needs an automatic defense system.

http://www.nothingtoxic.com/media/1129536000/Anti-Carjacking_Flame_Device

[airborne]

Where’s a good “eco-terrorist exterminator” when you need one?

[arichtaxpayer]

My son sells Hummers. It’s Andy’s fault.

[libertylover]

Thanks for the link.

Are the cops covering for this guy?...Detectives believe Jeppe vandalized the vehicle because he was stressed over money. But...

A local Hummer dealer said Thursday he has seen a series of other vehicles with very similar patterns of vandalism.

If he only attacks Hummers and not, say, BMWs then he's an ecoterrorist, not just distressed over money.

[humblegunner]

I hope they catch him and take everything he owns. Then put him in jail.

For putting scratches on a truck??!

Wow.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Catch the perp and vandalize him with X marks...with a X-acto knife.

Scumbag coward.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

That’s what hippies look like when they get old.

[Leisler]

What’s it cost to paint a Hummer? $5,000. Times ten Hummers? $50K

[snoringbear]

“I hope they catch him and take everything he owns. Then put him in jail.”

“For putting scratches on a truck??! Wow.”

A little jail time might do this eco-perp some good. Being what he is, he may not be aware of the Texas Castle Law which allows the use of deadly force to protect personal property. The guy is lucky that one of the Hummer owners did not walk up on him while he was making his X's and put a few bullet hole in him...

[Jonah Hex]

Sounds like a job for Trunk Monkey.

[Bookem_Danno]

Wait, what?

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

“suburban eco-terrorism”

No, it wasn’t a Suburban, it was a Hummer, silly....

;-)

[Oatka]

I hope they catch him and take everything he owns. Then put him in jail.
For putting scratches on a truck??!
Wow.

Ever hear of the Broken Window effect?

[ripley]

“i wonder if the suspect will turn out to be a professor or a retired professor?...”

no matter what his/their past occupation, they will turn out to be revolutionary communist swine in any case.

IMHO

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

“James Jeppe “
James in Danish is Jeppe. The guy’s name is “Jim Jim.”

[MaryFromMichigan]

Trunk Monkey!

[theDentist]

Multiple counts of Vandalism can get him thrown in Jail. And a decent judge can also require he re-imburse the owners and dealership for repairs. That can add up to a pretty hefty amount.

[bert]

This should be classified as a hate crime.

[Sooth2222]

For putting scratches on a truck??!

Wow.

So if he does $100,000 in damage to other people's cars, he should walk, but if he steals $200 from a 7-11 he should spend the rest of his life in jail???

WOW!

If the guy thought he had financial trouble before this...

[mgc1122]

No need to bother the courts with these matters ... some serious good old fashioned street justice with a baseball bat works wonders.

[palomonte]

I agree. time for batting practice.

[SubmarineNuke]

I would LOVE to know what kind of camera system that is and where to buy one. Ive spent hours trying to hunt the right system down via google. Anybody help here??

[1066AD]

He’s just getting “in your face” as ordered by The Lord Obambi.

[LibLieSlayer]

That is truly disgusting. Unreal.

LLS

[Condor51]

If I was the Deal Owner I'd hire a Sniper.

[driftdiver]

Not for scratches, for vandalism. For eco-terrorism.

[VOA]

“
Eco terrorists getting serious prison time and hefty fines —very good.
“

No matter what their IQ/SAT/PSAT scores are.
Or which elite institutions are admitting them.

William Cottrell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cottrell

[VOA]

“
Eco terrorists getting serious prison time and hefty fines —very good.
“

No matter what their IQ/SAT/PSAT scores are.
Or which elite institutions are admitting them.

William Cottrell
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Cottrell

[Nonperson]

Jim Jeppe ex-Southlake SPIN Board member.

[Nonperson]

Jim Jeppe ex-Southlake SPIN Board member.