Man Smashes Windows With Hammer At Center City Police Station
By Al Novack, Jenn Bernstein, and Jim Melwert
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police in the Sixth Police District arrested a man for vandalizing police cars Wednesday morning.
Authorities say the suspect was displaying emotionally distraught behavior as he smashed windows of police vehicles parked at the sixth district station with a hammer.
Lt. Paul Drains says, "We heard the sound of breaking glass. I went out to investigate to see what was going on and I observed a male in his boxers with a hammer in his hand."
The 31-year-old man, who was not identified, was swinging a hammer in violent manner, smashing windows on 14 patrol cars and at least two windows on the sixth district police station, located at 11th and Vine in Center City.
Drains says, "I tactfully approached from across the street and by the time we got to the corner he already broken multiple windows."
Once he was surrounded, he surrendered to authorities peacefully.
The suspect is in police custody at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where he will undergo a mental evaluation. Investigators say the suspect was only wearing boxers and boots.
Drains explains, "He wanted to prove a point that he wanted to shut down a police department or something to that effect."
No one was hurt in the early morning incident.
Brian Korn of the Sixth District says,"We are obviously going to have to borrow equipment from other districts."
The man was arrested and taken to Jefferson University Hospital. He suffered a cut on his hand from breaking glass.
He will also undergo a mental evaluation and could be charged with criminal mischief.
