Two students at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey have given a whole new meaning to the term “holiday fever,” causing nearly $6,000 in damage to the borough’s downtown Christmas decorations.
Glassboro Town Square is a pedestrian-friendly community gathering spot including an art garden and veteran’s memorial plaza.
Last Friday at 2 am, officers responded to a report of a disturbance and were alarmed to see a man scrambling up a Christmas tree in the middle of the square, making repeated attempts to snatch the star off the top. However, he quickly changed his mind when he saw the police approaching, choosing to slide back down the tree and run away.
Damage Caused
Police said that multiple lights on the tree stopped working, a section of lights near the top of the tree was disconnected, and several branches were removed.
A large Santa hat decoration in the square was also knocked over and its support frame was damaged.
With the help of video taken by a witness and an anonymous tip, investigators identified the tree rogue to be 19-year-old William Fowler of Demarest.
Fowler and fellow 19-year-old Matthew Lubicky are alleged to have been behind damage to a Santa hat as well.
Real-Life Grinches
This is not the only havoc the two teenagers wreaked. Fowler and Lubricky were also busy “aggressively” pulling down bicycles that were locked to a wall mount at a parking garage on Mick Drive before the incident with the Christmas tree. Fowler also kicked and damaged the rear bumper of a parked vehicle.
The two rascals were charged with criminal mischief, obstruction, and disorderly conduct. Fowler was also charged with resisting arrest.
The motivation behind the actions of the two teenagers are not yet known. A Rowan spokesman confirmed to the NJ Advance Media that they were both studying at the university.
