DENVER — At least two people smashed windows bearing health-care reform posters at the Colorado Democratic headquarters in Denver in what party officials are calling an act of political vandalism.
Police say the windows were broken at about 2:30 a.m. Tuesday. A police officer on regular patrol saw two people smashing windows with hammers, stopped, then pursued the duo as they fled on bicycles. The officer arrested 24-year-old Maurice Schwenkler on suspicion of criminal mischief.
The other individual was still at large Tuesday afternoon. There was no phone number listed for Schwenkler, and it wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.
State party chairwoman Pat Waak says most of the 11 shattered windows were directly in front of posters supporting health-care reform and President Barack Obama.
Waak says a flier opposing Obama's health care plans had been glued to an outside wall, though it was unclear whether it was placed there by the vandals.
"It was name calling on the other side against health-care reform and our assumption is that this wasn't a random thing," Waak said. "And to aim your slugs right at posters and pictures looks pretty intentional."
The Democratic Party estimates the damage at $10,000.