MIDDLEBURG, Fla. – After two drivers in Middleburg reported hearing a loud noise and later finding damage to their cars, Clay County deputies discovered that three boys under the age of 12 had been throwing rocks at vehicles.
Deputies initially believed the damage could have been caused by a BB or pellet gun or perhaps a small-caliber bullet, but no firearms were involved in the incident, investigators said.
Alegaria Neal and her husband, whose windshield was damaged by the rocks, said they were relieved to know what was behind the incident.
“I was relieved it was just a rock and it wasn't something more powerful,” Alegaria Neal said.
The incident happened about 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Henley Road and Talisman Drive, a dense residential area.
"We were heading over to a missionary church and as we were on Henley Road passing the retention pond there, I had just passed a car on my right side, and there was a loud bang. I mean it was startlingly loud,” Teddy Neal said. “I've had rocks kicked up from a dump truck. I've had those hit the windshield, but it was much, much louder this time.”
Teddy Neal said he didn't see the damage to the car, but his wife, who was riding in the passenger seat, did.
“For me, when I saw where the holes were on the windshield -- this was on my side -- my heart just started beating, because I thought, 'Wow, if it had been a guy on a real gun, I wouldn't be here right now,'” Alegaria Neal said.
The couple flagged down a deputy working at a gas station, who called for backup.
On the way to the scene the deputy found another woman pulled over at an intersection. She said her car had been hit, too.
“All of a sudden we heard a 'pop, pop,' and it was just really loud,” said the driver, who asked not to be identified. “I turned to my mom and I said, 'We’ve been hit. Something hit the car.'”
Deputies searched the area Tuesday night and Wednesday and received tips from citizens that led them to the three boys. Their parents cooperated, telling deputies about their activities that night.
The boys' names and exact ages were not released. Investigators did not give details of how many rocks were thrown, where they were thrown from or how big they were.
The Neals said they learned that the incident involved rocks when they heard a news report.
“(We felt) a sense of relief, in a way, knowing that the children involved had been caught,” Teddy Neal said. “We quit driving down that road at night (since it happened). Now that they've solved it, I think we will be back using that route again.”
The couple said seeing the children getting into trouble is saddening.
“Not only that, but I'm thinking (if) it's just a 12-year-old that threw the rock, he must have a very good arm to throw that rock and to hit a moving car. He better get into baseball. That's all I can say,” Alegaria Neal said.
Deputies are working with the victims and the parents of the children to determine if a remedy other than criminal charges, such as paying for the damages, can be settled on, but that is still being decided.