Pranksters deface Ashville tower - "could very well be a Homeland Security issue " [View All]

Pranksters deface Ashville tower

Trish Bennett

ASHVILLE - Ashville residents discovered a big red surprise when the sun rose Friday morning to reveal a large "S" posted over the "H" atop the village water tower on state Route 752.

While officials suspect a senior prank was responsible for the defacement of the 150-foot tower, they are now left to repair the damage and determine if the stunt crossed the line as a federal crime.

"It was definitely a high-risk thing to do," said Franklin Christman, village administrator.

High-risk not only for safety reasons, Christman said, but for breaking and entering into a restricted area that involves a public water supply. The perpetrators cut through the lock on the security gate to gain access to the tower.

"It could very well be a Homeland Security issue where we have no choice but to file charges," he said. "Public water systems are protected areas, and they probably didn't think of that when they did it."



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