Oskaloosa Police Charge Four In Widespread Vandalism Case

Vandalism at the Oskaloosa Christian School discovered Tuesday morning, September 30th, 2020.

***An Oskaloosa Police Department Press Release***

On September 29, 2020, at approximately 11:57 pm, members of the Oskaloosa Police Department were dispatched to the 800 block of 8th Ave E in reference to a criminal mischief complaint where a vehicle had been spray-painted approximately an hour prior to the call. Throughout the next morning, more than 30 more incidents of spray-paint criminal mischief were located or reported in Oskaloosa and University Park. The estimated cost of total repairs exceeds $10,000.

During the initial investigation persons of interest were developed and numerous videos and tips were sent in from the community.

On October 1, 2020, charges were filed in this case. The charges are as follows:

Nadia Hatfield, 20, from University Park – Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree, Trespass.

Patrick Strang, 19, from Knoxville – Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree, Trespass.

Juvenile offender, from Pella – Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree, Trespass, Theft in the 5th Degree.

Juvenile offender, from University Park – Criminal Mischief in the 1st Degree, Trespass.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

***Update To Original Story***

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa Police Chief Benjamin Boeke says that there are 33 individual reports of vandalism. He encourages any resident with a security camera to submit those to the police department if they believe they caught something suspicious.

Boeke went on to say that his department is interviewing four individuals, both juveniles and adults, about the incidents.

Boeke says they have not added up the value in damages at this point, but says it’s many thousands of dollars. “Some people are still getting estimates.”

Boeke said there should be more information available Thursday.

***Original Information***

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Oskaloosa woke up Tuesday morning to scenes of widespread vandalism across the community.

Reports came in from the southern part of town, where a neighborhood sign was spray-painted with anti-Trump language, to the northern portion in the city, where the Christian School was also spray-painted with anti-Trump speech.

A call to the Oskaloosa Police on Wednesday morning indicated that the investigation was underway, but police weren’t indicating anything more.

Last night the nation watched as Democratic candidate for President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump took part in the first debate between the two.

This is an ongoing story, and Oskaloosa News will update as more becomes available.