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Police ID 7 people arrested in New Year’s Eve vandalism of Philly federal building

A brick was thrown through a window of the Robert Nix Federal Building and, shortly after, a large group of people broke windows and spray-painted the building at Ninth & Market Streets, police said.

Items seized by police after they took three people into custody at 6th and Sansom St. for vandalism and related offenses in Center City on New Years Eve Dec. 31, 2020.
Items seized by police after they took three people into custody at 6th and Sansom St. for vandalism and related offenses in Center City on New Years Eve Dec. 31, 2020.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer

Seven people have been charged as being among members of a group who vandalized several federal buildings on New Year’s Eve in Center City.

Police said a group of 50, all dressed in black, broke windows and spray-painted slogans on the historic U.S. Customs House, at Second and Chestnut Streets; the Robert Nix Federal Building, at Ninth and Markets Streets; and the Federal Detention Center, at Seventh and Arch Streets, around 9 p.m. Thursday.

The group was also responsible for breaking windows and spray-painting the anti-police letters “ACAB” on a nearby sheriff’s van.

At the Nix building, police said someone in the group threw a brick through a window and that others broke more windows and spray-painted the building.

Charged with criminal mischief and related offenses were three people from Pennsylvania: Adam McVicker, 25, of Coatesville; Allison Donohue, 23, of Wallingford; and Josey Augustine, 31, of Royersford; as well as Dustin Callahan, 24, of Farmingdale, N.J

Charged with attempted arson, risking catastrophe, having an incendiary device, conspiracy, and related offenses were: Josie Robotin, 25, of Willow Grove; Sydney Miller, 22, of Philadelphia; and Meredith Tooker, 26, no residence given.

Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Mike Cram said Thursday that the detention center at Seventh and Arch streets was tagged with “Antifa-related graffiti.”

Cram added that several members of the group were searched and were found to be in possession of “numerous Molotov cocktails and some other devices which haven’t been identified.”