Charleston police on the trail of a vandal who shattered windows at a dozen businesses on Broad and State streets made an ice-cold discovery possibly linked to the crimes.
Just after midnight on Wednesday, police responded to an alarm at 54 Broad Street to find shattered glass at the entrance of the building. Canvassing the area, property damage was found at 11 other locations, including law offices, the Charleston County Historic Courthouse, and the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
Less than an hour later, police say they came across Robert Hodges, 20, in the vicinity of Broad Street and Colonial Drive. According to officers, Hodges was intoxicated with a cut to his elbow and blood dripping down his arm. In Hodges’ possession police found a container of ice cream that was traced back to Burbage’s Grocery, one of the Broad Street businesses that had been vandalized. The suspect was charged with second-degree burglary and public intoxication for his alleged late-night ice cream caper.
In response to the rash of vandalism, police have increased their presence in the area, and anyone with information is asked to call (843) 743-7200 and ask for the on-duty detective or contact Crime Stoppers at (843) 554-1111.
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