Encino Investment Broker Charged In Window-Smashing Spree
BEVERLY HILLS (CBSLA.com) — A San Fernando Valley investment broker was charged on Thursday with a dozen felony counts in an alleged window-smashing spree earlier this year.
KNX 1070's Vytas Safronikas reports Michael Steve Poret, 58, allegedly used a sling-shot to smash windows of businesses and homes in Beverly Hills and along Ventura Boulevard between January and July.
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Estimated damages from the spree range between $65,000 to more than $125,000, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.
Poret was arrested in July after detectives used a search warrant to recover BB guns, firearms, sling shots and other evidence from Poret's home that they allege were used to vandalize businesses along Ventura Boulevard from Sherman Oaks to Woodland Hills.
Poret is charged with 12 total counts, including six felony counts of vandalism over $400 in damage, five counts of possession of an array of weapons and one felony count of possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine.
Epic Salon owner Jeff Swaner said he was shocked to discover he could live so close to a man who allegedly left his windows busted out twice in one month.
"To find out it's somebody who doesn't have a criminal record and seems really straight and has a successful life and is actually a neighbor of ours..which is crazy," Swaner said.
If convicted, Poret faces up to over 10 years in county jail. He is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 28 in Beverly Hills.
