Police: Skateboarders caused thousands of dollars in damage to Meridian college campus

MERIDIAN — Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying four suspects in a recent felony vandalism at the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine in Meridian.

School officials say the vandalism happened late in the afternoon on December 22 of last year. School was closed for winter break at the time.

“They (reportedly) removed our large, heavy, metal ICOM sign and gained access to our courtyard,” said ICOM spokeswoman Stephanie Dillon.

From the extent of damage, officials believe the four were skateboarding off benches (made of granite, concrete and teakwood) and inside a large, decorative fountain that had been drained.

“The damage is cosmetic, and doesn’t impact (school) operations,” said ICOM spokeswoman Stephanie Dillon.

Officials say the damage is estimated to be in excess of $5,000.

“The seating is still open for use. The materials and labor used to build the seating is expensive, so that’s why the cost of damage is so high,” Dillon added.

“The benches and fountain were custom-made for us and shipped here from California,” she pointed out. “So it’s not like we can go down to Home Depot and replace them.”

Images of the suspects –- and the dark-colored sedan they left the campus in -– were captured on the school’s video surveillance cameras.

If you know anything about the vandalism or can identify the persons of interest, you are urged to contact Crimestoppers.

You can leave a web tip at 343COPS.com; you can use the new free app, P3! (you can get the app on ITunes or in the Google Play Store by typing “P3 tips” in the search bar); or you can call 208-343-COPS(2677). You can remain anonymous and possibly earn a reward of up to $1,000 if your tip leads to a felony arrest.