Morro Bay man ordered to pay $12,600 for vandalism spree
A Morro Bay man received probation and was ordered to pay more than $12,000 in restitution last month for a vandalism spree that left 10 banks and an Apple Store in San Luis Obispo as well as the Morro Bay police station with shattered windows.
Joshua Ryan Meissner, 26, had eluded authorities for nearly a month after the June 9 spree in San Luis Obispo when he was arrested in July after a witness saw him use a Wrist-Rocket slingshot to shoot small metal balls through the front doors and windows of the Morro Bay police station and a patrol car. The witness was able to report Meissner’s license plate.
A victims’ order for restitution in the case was sealed, but it was estimated he caused at least $20,000 in damage.
Meissner initially faced 13 felony counts of vandalism causing more than $400 in damage and one misdemeanor count of vandalism, but he pleaded no contest to two of the felony charges. The remaining charges were dismissed in September.
Meissner received five years of formal supervised probation and on Feb. 29 was ordered to pay restitution — $10,582 to five banks, nearly $1,900 to the city of Morro Bay and $200 to the CHP Coastal Division, court records show. He spent three days in jail following his arrest.
Court records don’t reveal a motive, but Meissner’s Facebook page shows posts critical of banks, police and government.
This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 7:49 PM with the headline "Morro Bay man ordered to pay $12,600 for vandalism spree."