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SANTA ANA (CNS) - A 37-year-old Irvine man pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of vandalizing multiple vehicles in Irvine and Newport Beach last year.
Shallom Han was charged Nov. 8 with 30 felony counts of vandalism. He was originally charged in May of last year, but the charges were dismissed in August, and prosecutors decided to refile the case earlier this month, according to court records. He was scheduled to return to court Dec. 5 for a pretrial hearing.
Irvine police were called to parking structures at Park Plaza May 20, 2021, after several vehicles were found to have been vandalized, Irvine Police Department Sgt. Karie Davies said last year.
One of the vehicles, a Tesla, captured the vandal in the act using a sharp object to scratch the paint, Davies said.
Several other vehicles nearby were also scratched between May 19 and May 21 of last year, Davies said.
Seven more vehicles were scratched at an apartment community at 2777 Alton on May 21 and May 22 of last year, Davies said. Video surveillance showed the same suspect walking through the parking structure at the apartment complex, Davies said.
A warrant was issued Nov. 15 for Han's arrest. He was arrested Nov. 21.
In Newport Beach, police were called just before 4 p.m. May 21 of last year about vandalized cars in a parking structure near Newport Center and Santa Rosa drives, according to Newport Beach police.
Police found evidence that six vehicles were scratched, causing about $40,000 in damage, police said.