Police in Newark announced the arrest of **Felipe Soares, 18, of Kearny,** who they charged with criminal mischief while he was in their custody for a burglary charge.
According to authorities, at approximately 6:45 a.m. yesterday (Saturday), Newark Police at the Municipal Arrest Processing Section (MAPS), located at 480 Clinton Avenue, were alerted by an alarm and the activation of the sprinkler system after Soares, a suspect in custody for a burglary arrest, vandalized the ceiling fire sprinkler inside his holding cell.
Authorities said no one was injured during this incident.
Police charged Soares Criminal Mischief in this incident authorities said.
Police said he was previously arrested at 1 a.m. and charged with Burglary of a residence at Astor Street near Mulberry Street and, on February 26, 2017, Soares was arrested for the robbery of a male victim at Chestnut and Pulaski Streets.
These charges are merely accusations.
The suspect is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Since MAPS opened in January 2017, four sprinklers have been broken by individuals held in custody according to Newark Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose.
Director Ambrose said each sprinkler is valued at approximately $1,000.00.
"Two sprinklers were vandalized this week alone, costing the City $2,000.00 in repairs on February 24, 2017, by **Kensly Simeon, 18, of Newark,** who was in custody on charges of Failure to Make Lawful Disposition of CDS," Director Ambrose said.
Simeon was charged with Criminal Mischief after vandalizing a sprinkler valve while in custody in MAPS.