A Waynesboro man has been arrested for breaking into Kate Collins Middle School and causing substantial damage to pipes in the ceiling of a boiler room, along with additional charges.
City firefighters were initially dispatched to the school due to a fire alarm shortly after 7 a.m., but upon investigation found that the alarm was caused by a burst pipe in the boiler room. Upon further investigation they discovered a male subject who began acting disorderly among the pipes that crisscrossed the room overhead.
Firefighters immediately summoned police who arrived and began attempting to apprehend the suspect who was still disorderly and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. During officer’s attempts to get the suspect to climb down or to contain his movements the man continued damaging pipes and other equipment and even broke off pieces of pipe in an attempt to assault them. He then threw a small piece of concrete at an officer before finally being taken into custody.
No officers or firefighters were injured during this event, and the suspect was taken to Augusta Health Emergency Department where he is being treated for drug related illness.
Officers continue to assess the damage to school property which at this point is estimated to be well over $1000.00. In addition authorities are trying to determine exactly how the man entered the school but believe he may have come in through a roof hatch located in the boiler room where he was found. A review of school security camera footage may yield answers to this question as well as how long he was in the school before causing the damage which triggered the fire alarm.
As a result of this incident, Christopher Allen Jackson, 26, has been charged with breaking and entering, felony destruction of property, assault and battery of a law enforcement officer, obstruction of justice, disorderly conduct and trespassing.
He is currently in police custody at Augusta Health and will be brought before a magistrate for a bond hearing upon medical clearance.
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