ESTACADA, Ore. (KOIN) – A woman faces misdemeanor charges for vandalizing a memorial for fallen veterans, law enforcement and firefighters in Clackamas County, Sandy police said.
Lee Ann Olson is charged with one count each of second-degree criminal mischief and abuse of a memorial to the dead, both Class A misdemeanor charges.
The investigation began in late July when officers got information the Estacada Veterans, Law enforcement and Firefighters’ Memorial had been vandalized, Sandy Police Officer Lew Sytsma said.
“Several plants had been destroyed, several more uprooted and thrown into the street and sidewalk,” Sytsma said. “We viewed surveillance footage and were able to identify Lee Ann Olson as the suspect on the video footage.”
Olson admitted she damaged the memorial, police said.
The group responsible for planting and landscaping is the Estacada Area Support Our Troops Foundation. Three separate volunteers spent a total of 4.5 hours repairing the damage to the memorial. They also constructed “cages” around some of the more sensitive plants to support them while they attempt to re-grow.
Olson was arraigned in Clackamas County Circuit Court on Tuesday. Her next court date is scheduled for October.
Filed under: Clackamas County, Crime
