An Ellsworth man has been arrested in connection with a string of cases in Ellsworth and surrounding areas for causing damage to vehicles with suspected paintballs and other objects.

Ellsworth Police Department confirmed Monday, Dec. 16 that Jeffrey James Baker, 57, Ellsworth, was arrested at 5:15 p.m. Monday for first-degree recklessly endangering safety, criminal damage to property and felony bail jumping. He sits in Pierce County Jail awaiting an initial appearance in Pierce County Circuit Court, as of press time Tuesday.

On Oct. 16, Ellsworth PD issued a community alert regarding the incidents:

“Over this past weekend, both the Ellsworth Police Department and the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office received multiple reports of vehicles being struck by an object, causing damage. Authorities have identified a suspect and confiscated the object used in the incidents.

There were concerns from the community that someone may have been ‘shooting’ at the vehicles; however, it's important to clarify that no firearms were involved in these incidents, and there is no immediate danger to the public.”

In the Ellsworth police blotter and Pierce County Sheriff’s Officer reports, multiple vehicles reported being hit by either a suspected paintball or other unknown object while driving throughout the past week, mostly on Highway 10 and Main Street in Ellsworth, but in locations near Prescott, along Highway 10 and in Ellsworth as well. Many said they didn’t know what hit their vehicle, but heard a noise, only to find the damage later. Others received cracked windshields. A white truck was seen in the vicinity of many of the incidents.

This story will be updated in next week’s edition with the full complaint