Repeat offender arrested for malicious mischief after iconic horse statues vandalized at Renaissance
RIDGELAND, Miss.
A marble fountain that was vandalized by a man with a sledgehammer will be repaired, the Renaissance at Colony Park manager said.
Charles Branch is accused of attacking the statue around 6 a.m. Monday, Ridgeland police said. When officers arrived, they found Branch with a hammer in his hand and the legs of several horses scattered around him, police said.
"We are devastated at the destruction of The Renaissance at Colony Park Italian Fountain," Andrew Mattiace said in a statement. "This custom designed, quarried marble fountain is the focal point of the main entrance to the Center, and has become a landmark and tourist destination. It is a favorite location for family, school group and prom photos."
One officer said he has never seen vandalism like that before.
“That’s the most serious case of vandalism I’ve seen,” said Bryan Myers, of the Ridgeland Police Department. “That one will probably go over $500,000. Those horses, I’m told, are worth $100,000 to $200,000 apiece, and there were four of them in the fountain. And he hit every single one of them. They’re all damaged. That’s going to cost the Renaissance a lot of money.”
Charles Branch is charged with malicious mischief, Ridgeland police say.
Mattiace said the fabricators and technicians who installed the fountain are working with photographs and will be on-site next week to determine the extent of the damage.
"We look forward to having the horses repaired in early 2016," Mattiace said.
Police said this is not the first time they have arrested Branch on vandalism charges. He is accused in a similar incident in September that involved the horse statue outside P.F. Chang's at Renaissance, authorities said. Police said he went after one of the horse's legs with a chainsaw.
Officers took Branch to the Madison County Detention Center, where he faces malicious mischief charges.