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Austin Police Announce Arrest in String of Rock Throwing Cases

http://kutne.ws/1WUk9Hq
Credit Austin Police Department
Patrick Eugene Johnson, 59, arrested today in connection with rock throwing incidents on I-35.

UPDATE: Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo has announced the arrest of Patrick Eugene Johnson, 59, on one count of attempted aggravated assault in connection with the rock throwing cases on I-35.

In an afternoon news conference, Acevedo said Johnson has confessed to two of the rock throwings, but Acevedo anticipates Johnson is responsible for the "lion's share" of the 94 rock throwing cases that have been reported. He expects attempted murder charges to be filed.

He's being held on $250,000 bail at the Travis County Jail.

On May 15th, a UT police officer's car was hit by a rock, but caught Johnson's vehicle on the police car's dashcam. That footage eventually led to an arrest.

Acevedo would not elaborate on Johnson's motives or why police didn't arrest him until today. Johnson, a tow truck driver, also called 911 to report some of the rock throwing incidents, according to Acevedo.

EARLIER: Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo announced on Twitter today that his department has made an arrest in a series of incidents where large rocks were being thrown through the windshields of cars traveling at high speeds on some of the city's highways.

Credit Lauren Hubbard/KUT
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo announces the arrest of Patrick Johnson on June 16, 2016.

The rock throwing has gone on for more than a year. At 94 such cases have been reported, mostly between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Several led to serious injuries, though no deaths have resulted thus far.

A $25,000 reward was being offered for information leading to an arrest.

Matt Largey is the Projects Editor at KUT. That means doing a little bit of everything: editing reporters, producing podcasts, reporting, training, producing live events and always being on the lookout for things that make his ears perk up. Got a tip? Email him at mlargey@kut.org. Follow him on Twitter @mattlargey.
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