Cedar Rapids man arrested after smashing his own car’s windows

Police arrested a man Thursday after he smashed out the windows of his own car.

Around 11:45 a.m., an officer was having a car towed from 2066 Riverview St. SE for being in violation of the city's junk vehicle ordinance. When the owner came out of the house, police said he became irate.

Scott Gillis, 39, allegedly told the officer she was not going to tow the car. He then grabbed a crowbar, according to police.

“He started smashing the windows out of his own car with the crowbar,” Sgt. Robert Collins said. “There's nothing wrong with that, but in the process, he was screaming and going crazy, to the point that neighbors were coming out of their homes.”

The officer, unsure what Gillis was going to do, called for backup. Gillis could be heard in the background of police radio traffic saying, “I don't care.”

Before the other officers arrived, Gillis stopped smashing and went inside. When he came back outside, officers took him into custody for interference with official acts and disorderly conduct.

Gillis did not do any other damage, and there were no injuries, police said. He was taken to the Linn County Jail.

Kelley Vezina, a nuisance abatement officer, said the city investigates complaints of junk vehicles and sends the owner a letter if they are in violation of the ordinance. He said Gillis was notified that he needed to remove the car on Oct. 28, 2010.

Under Chapter 25 of the city code, vehicles can be impounded if they are inoperable, have missing or broken parts, or have become the habitat for animals or insects. Vezina said Gillis' car was considered an “attractive nuisance” and was located near the street.

“It was up on blocks and had been that way for 90 days,” Vezina said. “It's a last resort when we tow them.”