Mob violence
An apparent mob of vandals attacked the North Carolina Republican Party headquarters in Raleigh, causing minor smoke damage, breaking windows and leaving vulgar messages, police said.
Three persons were arrested, the Associated Press reports.
In addition to the damage, the vandals left a burned effigy depicting President Bush and Sen. John Kerry, police said.
A police officer reported Friday night that about 100 people wearing masks and gloves were walking down a street near the headquarters, police Capt. D.S. Overman said.
Officers investigating that report found a second group "vandalizing and damaging" the Republican headquarters, said police Maj. D.R. Lane.
The vandalism was a "planned and orchestrated event," police spokesman Jim Sughrue said.
"This is not a political statement," Mr. Sughrue said. "A political statement is what we made Tuesday. This is a crime."
The officers found several spent fireworks, poster boards with slogans and spray-painted expletives on the walls. At least two windows were broken and police said it appeared that the vandals tried to put incendiary devices inside the building.
The three persons arrested were charged with malicious damage to property using an incendiary device, a felony, Maj. Lane said. They remained in custody Saturday afternoon in lieu of $50,000 bail each, a jail spokeswoman said. |
