St. Cloud police say they have made an arrest in the June 16 vandalism of a roadside memorial honoring a teen killed in a 2018 bicycle crash. Officers took 34-year-old Brandon Thomas into custody on June 21 after public tips led investigators to a suspect. Thomas has been charged with criminal mischief and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage, and booking records show he is being held on a $1,000 bond. Police said the arrest has brought relief to the family who created and maintained the memorial.
Family says surveillance footage shows damage
The memorial honors Joshua Lyonnais, who relatives say was killed while riding a bicycle in 2018. Family members told investigators that surveillance video appears to show someone pulling the display down, then driving a vehicle into it. As reported by FOX 35 Orlando, the family said, “This memorial is literally what we have left of, our brother. Like, this it.” They said the display had been targeted before and that seeing it damaged again left them devastated.
Police credit public tips for the arrest
According to WFTV, investigators said tips from the public were key to identifying and locating Thomas. Officers followed up on those leads before arresting him on the criminal mischief and leaving-the-scene charges, and booking records list his bond at $1,000. The department said the arrest “brings peace to the family” who placed and cared for the memorial.
What the charges can mean
Under Florida law, criminal mischief can be treated as a misdemeanor or as a third-degree felony, depending on how much damage is done. The statute sets threshold amounts at $200 and $1,000 to determine how the offense is graded, according to the Florida Senate. A separate traffic law covers situations where someone leaves the scene of a crash that causes only property damage. Those duties and penalties are laid out by the Florida Senate.
Police still want tips and footage
St. Cloud police are still asking anyone with video or information about the vandalism to contact the department. The city’s police page lists the non-emergency number as 407-891-6700, and the headquarters address as 4700 Neptune Road. For anonymous tips, callers can use 800-423-TIPS, according to the City of St. Cloud. Investigators said they welcome any surveillance footage or other details that could help the case.
