SLO County search warrants led to arrest in Salinas-area Hwy 101 projectile attacks

MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. - A man was arrested Thursday in connection with dozens of projectile incidents in Monterey County, and investigators say search warrants served in San Luis Obispo County led to the arrest.

CHP officers held a news conference Thursday and announced they had arrested Charles Lafferty, 52.

Investigators say he hit moving vehicles with glass marbles using a slingshot. There were at least 69 of these incidents, and five people suffered minor injuries.

Most of the incidents were around Highway 101 and Highway 156 in the Prunedale area.

Investigators said they linked a GMC Sonoma pickup to the attacks and served search warrants in San Luis Obispo County, which led to Lafferty's arrest. It was unclear where the search warrants were served.

Lafferty was booked into Monterey County Jail. Bail was set at $250,000.

UPDATE:

Most of the attacks happened around Highway 156 and 101 in the Prunedale area.

Investigators say they linked a G.M.C Sonoma pickup to the attacks which led to Lafferty's arrest. Officials say Lafferty was using a slingshot loaded with glass marbles to smash windows and dent cars. A serious offense that could land Lafferty in state prison. The CHP reported they can prove he committed 10 of the occurrences, but are confident he is responsible for all 69 that happened.

“That is what we can initially charge him with as we process and analyze and develop our evidence that we have acquired. We are confident that we will be able to recommend additional accounts based on the evidence that we have,” said CHP K.C. FOSTER.

Lafferty is also being charged with possession of a silencer and assault with a deadly weapon. Five people were hurt in the incidents.

Lafferty was booked in Monterey County Jail on $250,000 bail. Officials say he is the only suspect at this time.