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UPDATE: Masonic Lodge Vandalized in Ironton; Three Arrested

By: Carrie Cline Email
Updated: Mon 1:11 PM, Jun 18, 2012

UPDATE 6/18/12 @1:05 p.m.

IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) – Three people have been arrested in connection with vandalism at the old Masonic Lodge in Ironton.

The incident was discovered early Thursday morning.

Damage was pretty bad on two of the floors in the historic downtown building, but lodge members say it 's what happened on the fourth floor that angers them the most.

“When we got up here, there was this thick yellow dust all over the floor from where they had sprayed the fire extinguisher. It was like 3 or 4 inches thick,” said Rod DePriest, a trustee at the lodge. "This little canister did a lot of damage here.”

On Friday, Ironton Police arrested Dallas Roberson, 22, of Ironton, Jodi Blevins, 18 of Ironton and a 17-year-old juvenile from South Point.

The three are charged with breaking and entering and vandalism. The two adults will be arraigned Monday afternoon in Ironton Municipal Court. Police tell WSAz.com there are several other possible suspects in the case.



ORIGINAL STORY 6/15/12 @ 6:10
IRONTON, Ohio (WSAZ) -- Vandals ransacked the old Masonic Lodge in Ironton, putting the community on alert.

Lodge members are disturbed by the damage left behind. Thirteen windows total were broken -- shattered. Access was gained through a second-story bathroom.

“He climbed up (and) gained access here through the roof,” said Dwayne Hall, a trustee at the Masonic Lodge.

There's no question the damage was pretty bad on two of the floors in the historic downtown building. But, it's what happened on the fourth floor where the lodge offices and meeting rooms are located that angers them the most.

“When we got up here, there was this thick yellow dust all over the floor from where they had sprayed the fire extinguisher. It was like 3 or 4 inches thick,” said Rod DePriest, a trustee at the lodge. "This little canister did a lot of damage here.”

The lodge is a sacred space to the masons, with original furnishings and woodwork dating back almost 100 years. Its members are at a loss for why someone would target them with such anger.

“I just don’t understand why someone would come here and vandalize just for the sake of vandalizing,” DePriest said.

Ironton Police have two suspects. Masonic Lodge members estimate it will be expensive to fix the damage.


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