Teens arrested for smashing 'decadent' SUVs

The Houston Chronicla ^ | 01/28/2004 | MIKE GLENN

[Pern]

A former Cy-Fair High School student serving five years' probation for felony arson in a flag-burning case headed a group of self-described environmental guerrillas who vandalized almost 50 sport utility vehicles, officials said Tuesday.

Precinct 4 deputy constables said the group, led by Randall W. Heinrichs, 18, smashed windows and slashed tires on SUVs in north Harris County from October through December.

Investigators said the vandals used bats embedded with nails to smash windows and cut tires and sprayed graffiti, including Nazi swastikas, on the vehicles.

Four teenagers have been charged with criminal mischief.

Heinrichs, placed on deferred adjudication last year after pleading guilty in the arson case, has a "personal hatred" for SUVs, said Precinct 4 Capt. Rick Brass. "He talks about how they are environmentally unfriendly (and) decadent," he said.

Heinrichs, of Houston, was arrested Jan. 9 and is held in Harris County Jail without bail because of his arson probation.

Lindsey Garofano, 18, of Houston and Jarett Barger, 19, of Cypress were arrested Tuesday. Their bail was set at $5,000 each.

Joshua Killen, 18, of Cypress is expected to turn himself in shortly, deputy constables said.

Garofano told deputies she particularly resented "arrogant ladies" who drive expensive SUVs instead of buying more economical cars and donating the surplus money to charity.

[Pern]

Garofano told deputies she particularly resented "arrogant ladies" who drive expensive SUVs instead of buying more economical cars and donating the surplus money to charity.

Spoken like a good little Socialist. Let's see how far that little rant will get her with a Texas judge.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Let's start burning expensive houses and erect tents. The surplus money could be sent to Conspiracy Guy PO Box 251 Birmingham, Alabama 35209.

CG

[To Hell With Poverty]

Are these a bunch a' suburban white kids?? Because $5000 bail seems a paltry sum for 18 and 19 year old ADULTS who have inflicted so much damage. They should be locked up for a couple years for this kind of thing, period. Especially the "leader" (who in my opinion couldn't be more of a pathetic follower....) who already has a record.

How the heck can the media refer to these people as "teenagers?" I was expecting them to be maybe 15 or 16 when I read that.

[FreePaul]

I can't believe that bail was set at $5000 for these terrorists. It should be at least five hundred thousand. They should be sentenced to ten years for each act of terrorism.

[Rebelbase]

The prison showers are going to be a real education for these young adults eco-terrorists.

[CSM]

"including Nazi swastikas, on the vehicles."

No doubt inspired by the same groups calling GWB a nazi!

Bump for more examples of people trying to force their preferances on the rest of society!

[Wolfie]

Has a nice ring to it: the new Ford Decadence.

[Kenton]

I sure am glad I have a decadent SUV, or I'd never make it through the northeast Ohio winter. I had it in 4WD all the way to work this morning.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Media is the answer. I was surprised it didn't say "Children".

CG

[Voltage]

I prefer public whipping followed by restitution.

[SolutionsOnly]

This will be another test of the legal system. Anything less than a very severe sentence will represent another failure of the judicial system.

Do I sound like I'm losing faith in the system? Well, I am.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Caning is the answer. Then make them wash SUV's until they pay off the damage. 100 years or so should do it.

CG

[SBprone]

Want to make a Texas judge really angry? Try committing serial acts of vandalism while serving probation for a felony associated with flag burning.

The kid who was on probation will now get to serve a jail sentence. The other kids may have caught a break because when they visit their friend they will get the first-hand lowdown on jail life, without having to serve time themselves. I'll bet they hated it when their attorney told the judge "they have no prior offences your honor."

The one who violated his probation is SOL.

[correctthought]

She needs to be vandalized with a crow bar. At the very least, a good Singapore caning is in order.

[Dog Gone]

The good thing is that these jerks will be tried as adults.

[Onelifetogive]

Has a nice ring to it: the new Ford Decadence.

I just bought an Excursion...Decadence would be a better name...

Ot the Ford Excessive or Ford Extravagant if it has to start with "Ex"

[Tijeras_Slim]

How the heck can the media refer to these people as "teenagers?"

The same way the media includes 19 year old gang bangers in it's "children killed by evil guns" statistics.

[pepperdog]

They get their ideas from people like many of those in the Hollywood community. I specifically remember hearing a rant by Meryl Streep on how people didn't NEED big SUVs and how it angered her to see women driving the big things on errands. I was so surprised that she would bother to notice what the "commoners" drove.

[Yohec]

You can find a video clip of the punks here:

http://www.khou.com/news/local/crime/stories/khou040127_mh_suvvandals.59d4d4a0.html

[skinkinthegrass]

I prefer public whipping followed by restitution.

the public whipping Caning "a la Singapore" for "the chil'ren and the parents"...w/ $1,000,000 bail...10 years prison ("prison showers") time, then resit...lifetime denial of drivers' lic..."tell them to walk"