Two young boys were charged with vandalism on Tuesday, after reportedly causing significant damage to new apartment buildings under construction on Kristina Drive.
Bellefontaine Police officers responded to the scene around just after 8 AM following a report from a concrete contractor. The contractor discovered that newly-poured concrete had been defaced, with juvenile footprints and various vulgar messages found etched into the now-dried material. Additionally, a window in one of the units had been broken, and several screens were torn.
The contractor estimated the damage would cost around $3,500 to repair. Officers learned that this incident was not isolated, as previous vandalism at the site included drywall being damaged by tools thrown into the walls.
Later that day, police met with an apartment manager at Deercreek Village Apartments, located nearby, who indicated that the suspects might be local children. Just before 5 PM, officers returned to the area and located two boys, ages 11 and 13, who confessed to the vandalism. They admitted to writing profanity in the concrete, drawing explicit images, and dumping drywall mud on the floor of the construction site. The boys also confessed to stealing a shovel and discarding it in the woods.
Both were charged with vandalism and criminal trespass. The ongoing issue of vandalism at the site has raised concerns among local residents and contractors about safety and community responsibility.
Authorities remind parents to engage in conversations with their children about the consequences of such actions and the importance of respecting community property.