RICHMOND, Va. -- Authorities said four Richmond men broke into the Science Museum of Virginia and were responsible for $5,000 in thefts and damages during the Richmond riots on May 31.
Capitol Police were called to the Science Museum at 2500 W. Broad Street following an alarm activated at 3:14 a.m. the same night officers said a "number of buildings were burglarized and burned as rioters made their way through several Richmond neighborhoods."
Investigators said 19-year-old Makel Daizon Al-Qadaffi, 18-year-old Zakeye Navon Turner, 19-year-old Sherod Antoine Jenkins Jr. and 25-year-old Allen Hargrove Jr. broke into the museum by smashing a basement window.
"Once inside, they stole electronics and caused damages in various parts of the complex, leading to total estimated
losses of $5,000," Capitol Police said.
The four are charged with felony counts of grand larceny, burglary, conspiracy to trespass or commit larceny and injury to any property, monument, etc.
Investigators are asking for the public's help to locate Turner and ask anyone with information about his whereabouts to call police.
Hargrove was arrested Thursday, police said, while Al-Qadaffi and Jenkins are being held on unrelated charges.
Capitol Police Chief Col. Anthony S. Pike said the department would "work hard to protect our taxpayers and their assets" and that these types of crimes would be taken seriously.
"I'd like to commend our investigators for their hard work on a case that involved about $5,000 worth of theft and destruction on what was a night of lawlessness in Richmond," Pike said. "This case required some detailed, time-consuming work by our investigators, and they responded with the kind of extra effort that our stakeholders deserve."
Pike said he was alarmed the Richmond institution was targeted.
"It's particularly troubling that during times of civil unrest, people would prey on an institution dedicated to
helping children and their families understand science and the wonders of the world around them," Pike said.
This is a developing story, so anyone with more information can submit a news tip here.
