Wednesday, August 15th, 2007
Teen accused of extensively damaging Celina High School
By Margie Wuebker
A Celina man faces felony charges after he allegedly vandalized two locations, including Celina High School, early Sunday morning.
Joseph Gardner, 18, 751 Deford St., Lot 21, has been charged with breaking and entering, a fifth-degree felony, and two misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief.
Celina Police Chief Dave Slusser said police responded to the scene after someone reported suspicious activity at the school.
Gardner allegedly targeted recently installed entrance doors at the south end of the building. He also damaged several front windows as well as a sign near the driveway.
"He jerked on the doors with such force the frame buckled," Slusser told The Daily Standard. "And he apparently did the same with the windows."
There was no interior damage, leading authorities to believe his efforts to gain entry were unsuccessful.
Damage figures were not available and attempts to reach Superintendent Matt Miller were unsuccessful as he was meeting with principals throughout the morning.
Police also linked Gardner to vandalism at Asset Allocation, 720 E. Wayne St., during the course of their investigation. He allegedly damaged a newspaper box there.
Gardner remains incarcerated at the Mercer County Jail on a $75,000 bond pending a preliminary hearing in Celina Municipal Court. The case is expected to go to the grand jury when it convenes later this week.
