Teens charged in war memorial vandalism

Teens charged in war memorial vandalism
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Apr 24, 2009 13:58:52 EDT

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Two teenagers are being charged in juvenile court in the vandalism of the Iraqi Freedom Memorial at Island Park in Mount Pleasant.

The Morning Sun in Mount Pleasant reported that the 13- and 14-year-olds are being charged with malicious destruction of a memorial with damage between $1,000 and $20,000. Names weren’t released.

Police received a tip about the boys’ involvement. They face a May 11 hearing.

A brass rifle and helmet were stolen earlier this month from the memorial, about 120 miles northwest of Detroit.

It honors members of the U.S. military killed in Iraq. It was donated in memory of Marine Lance Cpl. Justin M. Ellsworth. The 20-year-old from Mount Pleasant was killed Nov. 13, 2004, by a roadside bomb during a foot patrol in Anbar province.

Ellie