Three charged in Dalton glass-shattering sling shot spree

photo The Dalton Police Department has announced it is investigating up to 40 reports of vandalism of area businesses that occurred overnight.

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Much can be accomplished with a slingshot and some ammo. Legends have slain giants, become kings. Others, in a more modern time, have shattered half a hundred windows in the North Georgia night.

On Tuesday, according to the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office, Nicholas Lane Atkins II, 20; Kinsey Logan Baggett, 17: and Ricky Herbert Pratt, 22, went on a slinging spree. They allegedly began their night firing marbles at street signs, then moved on to glass.

Capt. Rick Swiney said they smashed windows at shoe stores, furniture stores and restaurants. They hit Pye Honda at 2704 E. Walnut Ave.

In all, they hit 43 businesses in Dalton and seven businesses outside the city. The next morning, all business owners found was broken glass, and marbles.

“That’s pretty extreme,” Swiney said. “I don’t recall that being done before: So many places in one night.”

All three have been charged with several counts of felony criminal damage to property and trespassing. Officers arrested Baggett on Wednesday night and Atkins and Pratt on Thursday. All three left the Whitfield County Jail later Thursday after paying $10,000 bonds.

According to a news release, the sheriff’s office targeted Atkins, Baggett and Pratt after receiving a tip. The informant also told Sheriff Scott Chitwood where he could find the silver Ford F-150 that the three men allegedly used during the crimes.

Baggett owns the truck, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators interrogated the three and determined they were responsible for the damage, authorities said. Swiney would not say Thursday whether they confessed.

But if the three did it, they didn’t say why.

“They didn’t give a reason,” Swiney said. “There is no good reason to do something like that.”

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at 423-757-6476 or at tjett@timesfreepress.com.

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