Police: Investigation complete after juveniles vandalized House chambers at Indiana Statehouse
Update: This story was updated April 19, 2022, with additional information from the Indiana State Police.
The Indiana State Capitol Police concluded its investigation into vandalism at the Indiana Statehouse that led to charges against four juveniles, according to a news release.
On Sunday, March 27, the Indiana Statehouse was vandalized, spokesperson for Indiana State Police Capt. Ron Galaviz said.
Around 4 p.m., Indiana State Police were informed of "multiple juveniles" running inside the Statehouse, Galaviz said.
Officials arrived at the Statehouse and chased the juveniles until they were caught near the canal area. They were detained, but eventually released into the custody of their parents.
Galaviz said "significant criminal mischief" had taken place.
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Damage was done to an office and also the House chambers, Galaviz said. He said he was not aware of any damage done to the Senate chambers.
Police found writings and drawings with a black marker in both the office and the House chambers, including one of a "male body part," Galaviz said.
Hand sanitizer was dumped in the office, and in the House chambers, something was thrown at a large display screen, causing damage to it and leaving broken glass, Galaviz said. A bench also appeared to be thrown down from the second level, Galaviz said, citing a news website for this information.
Galaviz said the state police could not provide a motive for the vandalism, in accordance with the policy of the investigation.
A detective with the Indiana State Police submitted an investigation into the vandalism to the Marion County Prosecutor Juvenile Division for review.
The detective is requesting the suspects in the vandalism all be charged with institutional criminal mischief, criminal trespass, theft and resisting law enforcement, as well as an additional charge of flag desecration for one of the juveniles.
The suspects are three girls, ages 12, 13, and 14, and 13-year-old boy, according to the Indiana State Police.
The juveniles caused more than $17,000 in damage, according to police. They were interviewed by a detective in the presence of their parents.
Police say they damaged a door to open it and enter the building, according to investigators. The building was closed to the public at the time.
House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) issued a statement. Huston said the damage ranged from broken computer monitors to "trashed" desktop items. However, House officials were not aware of damage to any "historically significant items."
"Just as Hoosiers do, we take great pride in this historical and special building, and it was beyond disheartening and frustrating to learn of this incident," he said in the written statement.
Other House offices were not affected by the vandalism, Huston said.
This is an ongoing investigation by the Indiana State Police. No charges have yet been requested or filed against the juveniles, but that may change as the investigation proceeds, Galaviz said.
This report will be updated.
Contact IndyStar trending reporter Claire Rafford at crafford@gannett.com or on Twitter @clairerafford.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana State Police: Indiana House chambers of Statehouse vandalized
