DANVILLE, Va. – Danville police have charged three people, all under the age of 20, in connection with the vandalism that happened at the Salvation Army building earlier this month.
Police identified and charged three Danville residents for spray painting graffiti on the Salvation Army building that happened April 21.
Investigators charged Sierra J. Austin, 19, Antonio M. Doroteo, 18 and a 15-year-old boy, believed to be responsible for spray painting graffiti on the building.
The same three had defaced another building in a separate incident in the same area and the boy acted alone in defacing a third, according to police.
Police charged the suspects in those cases as well.
Doroteo and Austin each face two counts of vandalism, prohibition of wearing of masks in certain places while committing a crime and contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor
The 15-year-old faces three counts of vandalism.
Doroteo and Austin were released on bond, while the boy was released to his parents.
UPDATE: April 23
Danville police continue to investigate Tuesday’s vandalism incident at The Salvation Army on Henry Street.
Police are asking the public’s help to identify those responsible for spray-painting graffiti on the building.
Surveillance video shows three people coming from the direction of Keene Street at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday. Police say they were running toward North Main Street at about 11:30 p.m.
While the three people were wearing hoodies, masks and gloves, police are hoping someone can give information or identify them.
Police are asking anyone in the area with home surveillance cameras to review footage and contact police if they see anything that could be relevant.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 434-793-0000. You can also submit a tip online or via a mobile device.
ORIGINAL STORY
The Salvation Army staff arrived to work Wednesday morning to find the Danville location was vandalized.
The graffiti reads “I am God,"“Why did he Leave US!!!” and “LIES” among other things.
According to the release sent out by The Salvation Army, someone also broke into the building a few weeks ago.
“This act of vandalism attempts to draw our attention away from the service we provide to those in need,” said captain Ray Jackson of The Salvation Army of Danville. “We simply want to help people during these days, and it’s heartbreaking for someone to do these things during this pandemic.”
The Salvation Army estimates that during the coronavirus pandemic, requests for help will go up.