The Austin Police Department arrested a man they believe responsible for the “lion’s share” of Austin rock throwing attacks in the past few years.

The man charged is Patrick Eugene Johnson, a 59-year-old self-identified “Texas Towing Guru.” Police arrested him in a still-ongoing child sexual abuse case last August. Police said they plan to charge Johnson with attempted murder and end the rock throwing.

Local citizens are shocked by the consistent rock throwing combined with the “incompetence” of the police. An Austin-based Facebook group titled “Stop the Rock Throwing!” has 27 members, and calls for more safety in the city.

“We must continue with our efforts to make our city officials accountable. WE NEED FENCES,” the group’s description reads.

A rock struck the window of Texas State student Jillian Lueders as recently as June 14. The hunt for a suspect was still ongoing, and Lueders was simply passing through Austin, taking Interstate 35 back to her home in Colorado.

“I hear a loud bang on top of my car as if a rock was thrown at it. I was keeping my eyes open but I couldn’t see where they were throwing from,” Lueders said in Facebook posts.

The members of the Stop the Rock Throwing! Facebook group are clear that their anger stems from the length of time it took the police to make an arrest. Lueders said she “can’t believe” someone is doing it.

“We were facing a tough set of circumstances. Looking for a needle in a haystack,” said an APD spokesperson.

“Driving in fear” is not the only cost of rock throwing incidents in Austin, as replacing a windshield can have quite a cost. Don’s Paint and Body shop in Austin has not had to fix any of these damages, but they are prepared.

“It could cost as low as $250 but it could go up to way higher than that,” they said.

Some citizens are not fazed by these incidents, and opt to “keep their head up,” and not live in fear. Joel Deeter, an Austin resident who uses the lower level of I-35 to commute to work, says he will not let Johnson or any other criminal make him afraid.

“I just don’t see the point in being afraid. There’s so little chance of actually being hit, it just isn’t worth worrying about. I do feel safer now they have made an arrest, but it doesn’t make too much of a difference,” said Deeter.

Johnson, the man arrested for the crime, already faces up to 60 years in prison for his pending sexual abuse of a child case. The case has made little to no progress over two years, but he now faces a $200,000 bail and probable attempted murder charge.

Going forward, the police said they are hoping to put together a strong case with strong evidence against Johnson, and will move to prosecute soon. In spite of this, some citizens are still in disbelief.

“What is this world coming to. Keep Austin weird is an understatement at this point,” said Lueders.