Cops: Teens damaged 8 vehicles, 16 mailboxes in Crystal Lake

Two 18-year-olds and a juvenile have been charged after police linked them to a vandalism spree in Crystal Lake that totaled more than $3,000 in damages, police said.

Eight vehicles were damaged, with one windshield broken, and 16 mailboxes were vandalized. The majority of the damage occurred in the southwest area of Crystal Lake.

A Crystal Lake Street Department employee salting the roadways spotted a teen damaging a stop sign with a crowbar at the corner of Autumncrest and Deerhaven drives about 8:10 p.m. Sunday, police said.

The employee immediately called police and was able to provide a description of the vehicle and the license plate, according to authorities.

Police stopped the vehicle about six blocks away at Candlewood Drive and Alexandra Boulevard and arrested all three occupants, who were later found responsible for at least 24 separate acts of vandalism, according to authorities.

Crystal Lake residents Cleveland L. Wiggins, 18, of the 700 block of Weston Drive and Zachary J. Mecho, 18, of the 1000 block of Butler Drive were each charged with two counts of criminal damage to property, but additional counts may be added, according to police.

The third person in the vehicle, a juvenile, was charged with one count of criminal damage to property and released to his parents, police said.

Police said the vandalism occurred between Saturday and Sunday evening.

Wiggins and Mecho posted $150 cash bond and are due in court March 13.