Boise man charged with vandalizing Idaho’s replica Liberty Bell at Capitol entrance
Idaho State Police say a Boise man has been arrested for allegedly vandalizing the replica of the Liberty Bell that sits at the front entrance to the Statehouse.
Tim Jay Jones, 64, of Boise, was charged with one misdemeanor of malicious injury to property after he was taken into custody at his home Thursday afternoon, according to an ISP news release. Troopers said citizen tips were helpful because they not only furthered the investigation, but also brought the crime to the authorities’ attention quickly.
Witnesses told police that Saturday, June 20, at about 8:40 p.m., a man parked a sedan at the curb along West Jefferson Street in front of the Idaho Capitol. He got out of his car, approached the Statehouse steps, and used a sharp object to scratch an expletive into the heavy metal bell.
On Monday, June 22, state employees repaired much of the damage done to the bell, the release said.
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 7:23 PM.
