Both Victoria Williams and Ervin Woodard of Pace are facing criminal mischief charges after both were linked to an act of vandalism in which more than $4,000 worth of damage was caused by spray painting at the Bell Ridge Apartments in Pace.
According to an offense report from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began when a sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to Bell Ridge Apartments on Tuesday. The apartment’s manager met the deputy in order to show vulgar images and language which appeared on the front of several apartment buildings.
When the deputy asked the manager on who would possibly be responsible, the manager mentioned Victoria Williams, a resident at the apartment building. In addition to previously being warned about writing on the sidewalks with chalk, the manager said Williams was going through a divorce at the time. The report states Williams was actually moving out of the apartment, when the deputy arrived on scene.
While approaching Williams’ location in the apartment building, the deputy observed improper images and language in red and black spray paint, the report said. In addition to finding the spray cans in the area, the deputy also found a fire extinguisher with a missing pin 15 yards from where Williams was staying at the time.
The deputy made contact with Williams, who at the time was outside smoking a cigarette. In an interview at the scene, Williams told the deputy she didn’t know anything about the spray paint, however the deputy reported seeing red and black spray paint on her hands.
Upon further questioning, Williams told the deputy she did not have anything to do with the writing, however she was outside when it occurred. Williams told the deputy the paint on her hands was from painting with her daughter the night before.
Williams told police, the vandalism was perpetrated by a friend of hers named Ervin Woodard and his girlfriend. Woodard was also staying within apartment complex.
When interviewed, Woodard told the deputy he was responsible for the spray paint damage. When being interviewed, the deputy observed Woodard having red paint on hands and clothing. Woodard told the deputy he saw the spray paint on the buildings outside. The paint transferred to his hands and clothing after touching the wet paint. In the report, Woodard said the paint got onto his clothing after trying to wipe the paint off from his hands.
In the report, the deputy stated Woodard changed his statement upon further questioning. Woodard said he sprayed the red paint can onto the fire extinguisher to see if there was still paint in the can.
Upon collecting evidence, both Williams and Woodard were placed under arrest and taken into custody at the Santa Rosa County Jail.
Williams was released on a $1,000 bond on the same day. In the report, Williams had a reduced set bond amount due to her cooperation. In addition to criminal mischief charges, Woodard is also facing a larceny charge of grand theft of a fire extinguisher. Woodard currently remains incarcerated with a $4,500 bond.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Vandalism leads to criminal mischief charges for two Pace residents