Suspect in custody after spree of vandalism in Boston

BOSTON — A man has been arrested following a series of vandalism incidents in downtown Boston, including damage to the iconic Holocaust Memorial and historic burial grounds, police said Sunday.

The vandalism began late Saturday night when officers responded to a breaking and entering call at approximately 11:31 p.m. at 125 Charles Street South.

They found the front door smashed and a brick inside.

Video surveillance helped officers broadcast a description of the suspect.

Shortly after midnight, an officer discovered the windshield of his cruiser had been shattered.

Video surveillance from the scene matched the earlier description of the suspect.

The same suspect appeared to be responsible for a broken window at 15 Sudbury Street later that morning, as well as for throwing an object at the Holocaust Memorial at 98 Union Street, resulting in visible damage.

At around 3:02 a.m., officers arrived at 15 Court Square, where they reported additional vandalism.

Video footage revealed the same suspect at 201 Washington Street, breaking another window.

Following the trail of destruction, officers tracked the suspect to a shelter at 112 Southampton Street.

Lawrence Hawkins, 46, of Boston, was arrested there around 4:30 a.m. and charged with multiple counts of destruction of property and destruction of a place of worship.

He is slated for arraignment at Boston Municipal Court.

The vandalism continued at the Granary Burying Ground, where police found 14 tombstones, including that of Paul Revere, damaged around 10:44 a.m. Additional desecration was discovered at the adjacent King’s Chapel Burying Ground.

Hawkins, already in custody, will face further charges for the additional destruction of property and defacing of burial sites.

The National Park Services has been alerted to the incidents.