The Salem Police Department arrested a man early Sunday morning who they say broke doors and windows at the department’s former police station at Salem City Hall, causing about $50,000 in damage.
Salem firefighters responded to an active fire alarm around 3:40 a.m. Sunday on the first floor of the building at 555 Liberty Street S.E., said Lt. Debbie Aguilar, Salem police spokesperson.
Upon arriving, firefighters spoke with Mario Eduardo Cerda, who told them he broke windows after learning the police department was no longer located there.
Aguilar said Cerda, 31 of Salem, also “forced his way” into what was formerly the police station lobby through a door and, using a fire extinguisher, broke several more doors in the building and nearby library.
Salem police officers also responded and found Cerda had several false ID cards and appeared to be under the influence. He was taken to the hospital for evaluation, cleared to go to jail and taken to the Marion County Correctional Facility.
“At the facility he began kicking and screaming inside the patrol car,” Aguilar said.
Marion County jail deputies and Salem Police officers safely removed Cerda from the car and lodged him on charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree disorderly conduct, first-degree criminal mischief, four counts of first-degree criminal possession of a forged Instrument, and resisting arrest.
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
