Lang
8/30/20
A self-proclaimed member of the Iowa Freedom Riders was arrested Saturday for allegedly spray-painting the Old Capitol during a Friday demonstration on the Pentacrest.
University of Iowa Police say video footage and officers on the scene confirm 18-year-old Logan Creach of Kirkwood Avenue spray-painted the Old Capitol at approximately 9:10 Friday night. The estimated damage exceeds $1,500.
Creach, whose Facebook page identifies him as a member of the Iowa Freedom Riders, was booked into the Johnson County Jail just before 3:30 Saturday afternoon and charged with 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted, he faces a maximum of five years in prison.
The Iowa Freedom Riders have received criticism on social media for going back on a pledge to not spray-paint property during future protests. The group had spray-painted the Old Capitol during earlier protests in June. The estimated cost to the University of Iowa for cleanup was over $1 million.
Other graffiti targets Friday night included the Johnson County Jail, downtown businesses and the streets themselves.
Iowa City Police warned residents Friday afternoon that the Iowa Freedom Riders had planned downtown protests each night this weekend through Monday. Saturday night marchers moved from the Pentacrest to the corner of Highway 1 and Highway 6 to the Johnson County Jail, spray-painting the streets along the way.