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Homeowner Gets Revenge On Pumpkin Smashers

PORTER COUNTY, Ind. (STMW) - A man who caught teens smashing pumpkins on his property got back at them by allegedly running at and hitting their vehicle with a bat or log over the weekend.

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The four juveniles eventually admitted to smashing the homeowner's three pumpkins on his driveway, in the 100 block of Guilford Circle in the Shorewood Forest community.

They then went to pick up a fifth friend and drove past the house again on their way back. This time, they said, a man with a large bat was outside and, as they slowed down, he ran at their SUV and swung, damaging the back left corner of the vehicle.

The homeowner, Kelly Cleary, 52, told police his dog's growling led him to look outside and see the teens outside at about 11:20 p.m. Saturday. He admitted throwing part of a pumpkin at the vehicle but denied doing anything that would have caused the amount of damage police saw.

Police asked prosecutors to charge Cleary with criminal mischief.

© Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2010. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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