Man arrested for cemetery vandalism

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, December 13, 2006

AUSTIN &8212; A 19-year-old Austin man was arrested Monday for damaging to fences at Calvary Cemetery.

The suspect is being held at the Mower County Jail until charged by formal complaint for felony criminal damage to property.

About $3,000 to $5,000 worth of damage was reported Saturday at Calvary Cemetery on Fourth Street Southwest by someone who drove over two sections of fencing.

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According to Police Chief Paul Philipp, when workers were cleaning up debris at the cemetery, they found a mirror from a vehicle. Law enforcement tracked the perpetrator by contacting auto shops to see if a mirror part had been ordered.

The police report stated that officers went to the suspect&8217;s residence and he allegedly admitted to the cemetery damage. He was then arrested and brought to jail.

At 2:28 a.m. Sunday, the suspect had been arrested for a fourth-degree misdemeanor DWI and minor consuming for having a blood alcohol level of 0.9. He was taken to jail and later released.