Collegiate Times

Three men charged with destructing a Blacksburg business’ property may be linked to a series of other vandalisms.

Blacksburg Police arrested Anthony Evan Carson, a 22-year-old Blacksburg resident, and Jeffrey Aaron Gross, a 21-year-old Virginia Tech student, April 15 for spray painting an exterior wall of Cook Clean Center on North Main Street.

Carson was charged with an additional 18 counts of destruction of property Friday.  Shea R. Gegan, a 21-year-old Blacksburg resident, was arrested Friday and charged with 24 counts of destruction of property.

Destruction of property with intent is a class one misdemeanor. If the men are convicted, the court may order them to pay damages.

Blacksburg Police believe the vandalism is related to around 25 to 30 other similar incidents that have occurred in Blacksburg since January.

 “They are all vandalisms through spray painting,” said Lt. Steve Taylor of the Blacksburg Police Department.

Taylor said Blacksburg Police is investigating the vandalisms and whether they are associated. He would not comment on why police believe the Cook Clean Center incident is related to the others or provide details about them.

Dennis Nagel is Carson’s defense attorney. He wouldn’t comment on the case.

“I would have to talk to my client before making any statements,” Nagel said.

The damages to Cook Clean Center are less than $1,000, according to Virginia courts case information.

Carson and Gross were spray painting Cook Clean Center when Blacksburg Police arrived at the scene, identified the men and arrested them. Police were responding to a phone call they received at around 3 a.m. on April 15 regarding vandalism in progress.

Carson and Gross were incarcerated at Montgomery County Jail after the incident. Carson is still being held in custody, according to case information. Whether Gross is still in custody was not provided.

Since the arrests, Blacksburg police obtained and executed search warrants for Carson and Gross’ residences, according to a press release. Taylor wouldn’t comment on the information found in their residences or if it is valuable to the investigation.

Carson was convicted for a different class one misdemeanor in January. He was arrested Jan. 25 for embezzling up to $200 and paid a $204 fine, according to case information. Both men have also paid fines for minor traffic infractions.

Carson’s hearing is scheduled for June 2 at 9:30 a.m. in the Montgomery County General District Court in Blacksburg. He is on $5,000 unsecured bond. 

A version of this article appeared in the Apr 30 issue of the Collegiate Times.