Seattle police arrested a 40-year-old man late Monday after officers say he smashed multiple glass installations inside Chihuly Garden and Glass at Seattle Center and went after security staff, causing roughly a quarter-million dollars in damage. Investigators say the suspect hurled shards of glass and tried to stab a guard with a broken piece, but the guard managed to get away without injury.
Police account of the break-in
Officers headed to the museum around 11 p.m. after security reported a man destroying displays and confronting guards, according to KOMO News. “Security was able to break away, leave the area for his safety,” SPD Det. Brian Pritchard told the station, describing how the guard escaped the suspect and waited for officers to arrive.
Museum context
Chihuly Garden and Glass is a permanent exhibition at Seattle Center, centered on the Glasshouse and a maze of delicate indoor and outdoor galleries that showcase Dale Chihuly’s hand-blown work, according to Chihuly Garden and Glass. The installations are crafted by specialized teams and are costly and time-consuming to replace, which makes deliberate destruction a serious blow for curators and visitors alike.
Damage, arrest and museum response
Police estimate the damage at nearly $250,000, and officers arrested the 40-year-old at the scene. He faces burglary, assault and more than a dozen counts of malicious mischief, KOMO News reports. Museum officials told the station crews moved in quickly, cleared away the broken artwork and expect replacement pieces to arrive in the coming weeks. Despite the late-night chaos, the gallery opened on its normal schedule the next day.
Legal next steps
A judge found probable cause to keep the suspect in custody after an initial court appearance, and the case will now proceed through King County courts based on the current charges. Prosecutors have not yet publicly set his next court date, and Seattle police have not released the suspect’s name.
