Rock throwers troubling South Austin neighborhood

A person or group of people are throwing rocks at houses in one South Austin neighborhood. The incidents are happening in the Skyway neighborhood.  The affected homes are situated just near some railroad tracks. Austin police said over the past four years, there have been eight reported incidents.

Four of those incidents happened to Patricia Potyka and her seven-year-old daughter. She and neighbors reported property damage to the siding on their homes, even broken windows. Potyka said during the first incident four years ago, a rock almost hit her then-toddler daughter in the head. The latest rock throwing was just last week.

“I sat down Saturday night to watch the Astros, five minutes later, my daughter said 'Mommy I heard a loud noise.' It's just the same thing over and over again,” said Poytka.

Police said they are doing what they can to help the situation, but it’s important for neighbors to keep their eyes peeled.

"The most important thing is if people see folks on the tracks, call us and let us know. If there is an incident where somebody's property was damaged, call us and make a report," said Sgt. Noel Guerin, Austin Police Department.


Union Pacific said they've been increasing patrols along the tracks in that area. Potyka is offering a monetary reward for anyone with information on the perpetrators.