A man was arrested for allegedly causing nearly $250,000 in “catastrophic damage” to a famed Washington state museum and trying to stab a security guard with a shard of glass, according to authorities and reports.
Officers rushed to Chihuly Garden and Glass on the grounds of Seattle Center just after 11 p.m. on Monday for a report of a man destroying glass sculptures — arriving to discover large pieces of colorful glass littered everywhere, according to the Seattle Police Department.
Alexander Taylor Weis, 40, was arrested for causing nearly a quarter of a million dollars worth of damage after security at the museum identified him as the frantic alleged vandal, according to police and KOMO News.
Security allegedly found Weis inside a “secure area” actively damaging the intricate glass plants at the exhibit made by artist Dave Chihuly, police said.
He also pelted glass shards at security officers and picked up a piece, attempting to stab a museum security officer multiple times, cops added.
As he was cuffed, Weis allegedly became “combatative” and refused commands. He was eventually hauled away to King County Jail, police said.
No security guards were injured in the chaos, according to authorities.
It is estimated that the vandal caused over $240,000 in damage to the famed sculptures, authorities said. Photos released by the department showed hundreds of pieces of shattered glass.
Despite the destruction, museum officials and crew quickly swept up the damage and reopened the following day. The damaged artwork has been removed and will be replaced in the coming weeks, KOMO reported.
Weis later refused to appear in court, but a judge found probable cause to hold him in custody on burglary, assault, and several counts of malicious mischief charges, the outlet reported.
“There’s really no words,” Gary Rockafield, a Chihuly Garden and Glass visitor, told the outlet. “The time and effort it takes to make these things and put them on display just to have someone come in and do that.”
