BROOKINGS – A 22-year-old Yankton man was arrested on suspicion of vandalism at Brookings Health System early Saturday morning, Lt. Derrick Powers of the Brookings Police said.
Officers were called shortly after 4 a.m. Saturday to the hospital for the vandalism, he said.
“One of the rooms that had a bunch of equipment, someone had entered and just caused several thousands of dollars worth of damage,” Powers said. “The damage was done to a bio med room within the facility. The equipment in the room was damaged, extensively.”
The equipment was listed as medical, office and miscellaneous, including a refrigerator. Powers did not know if anything in the room was a biohazard.
Two vehicles parked outside were also damaged.
“Law enforcement did come in contact with a male at the facility,” Powers said. The Yankton man “was intoxicated, and we assisted him to get to where he needed to be. Then after we had dealt with him, the damage was discovered, so as a result, ... he was subsequently arrested and transported to the Brookings County Detention Center.”
Charges are pending for intentional damage and third-degree burglary.
“Right now, ... we don’t have an exact amount of what the damage is, but that will determine as to what degree of intentional damage it will be. We were informed initially it was in the thousands of dollars,” Powers said.
Damages more than $1,000 would put the charges into a felony category, he added.
