A mentally unstable man is believed to be responsible for a string of recent vandalism incidents in east Columbus.
Jonathan Joiner, 28, of Lehmberg Road was arrested by the Columbus Police Department Monday after he allegedly damaged local businesses and cars in a fit of rage.
Joiner, described as a paranoid schizophrenic by police, was charged with one count of felony malicious mischief.
Just after 12:30 p.m. on Monday afternoon, E-911 received phone calls concerning a man throwing a rock through the door at The Wonder Bread store on Alabama Street. The man then went next door to the Shell Station and began throwing merchandise around the convenience store before running outside and jumping on top of cars attempting to break the windows.
CPD officers caught Joiner across the street with him reportedly yelling, “I’m a man! I’m a crazy man!”
The manager of the Shell Station, Misty Sudduth, said Joiner destroyed approximately $80 worth of merchandise inside the store.
Clerk Murray Reliford was inside the store at the time Joiner entered and said his behavior was very erratic.
“He came in the store with his shirt thrown across his shoulder and walked over to the chips and just started slinging them across the floor. Then he opened the Red Bull (cooler) and started slinging them across the floor, too”
Joiner then reportedly began throwing the 20-ounce cans of Red Bull at a customer and Reliford.
Joiner is also believed to be responsible for vandalizing several stores early Sunday morning. Pizza Hut, Subway, Captain D’s and O’Reilly Auto Parts all reported vandalism around 4 a.m.
Each business has a rock thrown through either a door or window.
CPD Public Information Officer Glenda Buckhalter said Joiner may face additional charges.
He is currently in the custody of the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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