Charge Filed in All Wars Memorial Vandalism

The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office has filed vandalism charges against an 18-year-old man in connection with the desecration of a war memorial in Danville in June, police said today.

On Friday charges were filed against Jared Vance, a resident of Provo, Utah, according to a spokeswoman for the office and Danville police. The police department had offered a $12,000 reward, funded by donations from community organizations, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect, according to police.

Danville police Sgt. Brian Sliger said it was the reward, coupled with stories in the media and on social networking sites, which ultimately helped catch Vance. Although multiple people were at the All Wars Memorial in Oak Hill Park early in the morning on June 8, Sliger said Vance is the only person suspected of spraying black and red paint on the memorial.

Sliger said the department has made contact with Vance, who is still in Utah. Vance used to live in Danville before he moved to Utah, Sliger said. “He will be ordered to come back to California and face his court hearings,” Sliger said.

Danville police Chief Steve Simpkins said he was pleased that the case was resolved and lauded the community’s assistance and patience in locating the suspect.

“We are very glad that we were able to bring closure to this case and we empathize with our local veterans who were affected by the vandalism of this important memorial,” Simpkins said in a statement. Sliger, who is a veteran, said Vance’s capture has been very rewarding for veterans in town.

“For everyone here and everybody who’s served in some capacity in the military, it’s gratifying that someone can be held accountable for this,” Sliger said.

A court date for Vance has not yet been scheduled.

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Photos courtesy Danville Police