Authorities announce the arrest of a 49-year-old Madison man following vandalism reports around the borough.
Officials say during the evening of November 17th and the morning of November 18th, Madison Police were notified of vandalism throughout the borough, including several buildings on Waverly Place and Main Street, various signs on Main Street, and several locations within New Jersey Transit train station property on Kings Road. The spray paint vandalism depicted racial slurs that were targeted at a veteran Madison Police Officer.
Through the investigation, it was determined that Jesse J. Kimball, 48, of Madison, was responsible for the vandalism. On the morning of Nov. 18th at 2:02 a.m., Madison Police Detectives Ken Shannon and Adam Riley arrested Kimball at a Main Street location and charged him with 4th degree criminal mischief and harassment.
Subsequently, Kimball was charged by NJ Transit Police with 4th degree criminal mischief. Kimball was later released pending a court appearance in Morris County Superior Court.
Upon initial report of the vandalism, the Madison Department of Public Works on call crew was called in to cover up the depicted racial slurs. The damage has been totaled in the amount of several thousands of dollars.
“These unfortunate set of events resulted in an outpouring of support from our residents and friends in Madison towards our Police Department and officers. The swift reporting by witnesses and thorough police work of our Madison officers helped bring the incident to a close, but I would not expect anything else from all involved,” said Darren Dachisen, Madison Police Chief.
“I appreciate the quick work of the Madison Police Department and Department of Public Works, to ensure that this incident was addressed and corrected as quickly as possible. I echo the statement from Chief Dachisen, and want to emphasize that this type of behavior is not accepted in Madison or anywhere for that matter,” said Mayor Robert H. Conley.
No further information is available at this time, and no further comments will be made on this case.
The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.