BEDFORD — The Bedford Police Department is investigating a case of vandalism that occurred at Thornton Park over the weekend. The incident was reported on October 7 but happened on October 6, around 5:10 p.m.
According to the report, Bedford Parks Department employees discovered damage to the pavilion and reported the incident. Upon arrival, officers reviewed security footage that captured the actions of four juveniles—three males and one female—who were seen vandalizing the structure.
The footage shows one male juvenile tearing down guttering from the pavilion, causing it to hang loosely from a column. He then entered the pavilion and defaced an electrical box, spray-painting inappropriate images and words in pink paint, which left significant stains on the floor. Another male juvenile was observed painting “9Lo” on the side of one of the columns. The female juvenile and one other male did not participate in the vandalism but remained in the area.
After reviewing the footage, officers identified the suspects and noted they left the scene in a red 2006 GMC Canyon. Police were able to obtain the registration of the vehicle. The Bedford Police School Resource Officer, SRO Gilbert, assisted in identifying the juveniles involved.
On the same day, officers spotted the red GMC Canyon driven by one of the juveniles and confirmed its registration. Due to the extensive damage caused by the vandalism, the Parks Department estimates that the cleanup and repair costs will exceed $750.
As part of the investigation, officers issued promise-to-appear notices for the two 16-year-old juveniles involved, requiring them to appear in court on October 23 at 9:00 a.m. Additionally, all suspects received trespass notifications prohibiting them from entering any Parks Department property.
The police collected photos and videos of the incident, which they uploaded to the case file for further review.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to address the damage and hold those responsible accountable.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
