Utah's capital grappled with unwelcome disturbances downtown as Salt Lake City Police Department officers arrested a 47-year-old man, Damien McNear, for causing significant property damage. According to SLCPD, the arrest occurred following the report of property vandalism that began at the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office late Wednesday night.
McNear's actions, described by police as intentional yet random, started around 9:59 p.m. on November 13. Police soon arrived to find shattered windows at the DA's office and used a rock, likely to scratch 10 luxury cars at a nearby Mercedez-Benz dealership and chip a window at the Salt Lake County Health Department. Despite the seemingly erratic nature of the events, authorities currently do not believe the incidents were targeted.
The cumulative damage caused by McNear, particularly at the district attorney's office, is tallied well more than $5,000. Cost assessments for the vehicles and the health department window are still underway. Charged with three counts of felony property damage, McNear now faces the legal repercussions of his actions and has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail.
In the wake of the destruction, the SLCPD has released two photos from the damaged district attorney’s office, which media outlets can use to duly credit the police department. As of now, the charges against McNear are merely allegations, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, reminding us that photographs of such booking, Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits their release until a conviction is secured.
