A 24-year-old St. Paris man is facing charges after police say he cut the brake line on a vehicle in Urbana.
According to the Urbana Police Division, officers were called Tuesday, March 10, around 2:14 p.m. to the 600 block of Scioto Street for a report of vehicle damage.
A woman told officers her daughter’s ex-boyfriend, Zachary Harris, 24, of St. Paris, had come to their home on East Church Street the night before to drop off toys for their child. She said he eventually left but stayed parked in the area for about two hours.
The next morning, the family discovered the brake line on a 2012 Chrysler had been cut and brake fluid was leaking. After checking home security footage, the caller reported seeing Harris lie on the ground and reach under the front of the vehicle before walking away.
Police photographed the damage and later spoke with Harris by phone. He denied cutting the brake line and said he only went near the vehicle to take a picture of the license plate for a future court case. Harris also told officers the car was too low to the ground for him to get underneath it and claimed he dropped his wallet while near the vehicle.
Reports say Harris is being charged with criminal damaging and criminal mischief, and officers have requested warrants through the Champaign County Municipal Court.
