SHOCKING surveillance footage shows the moment a woman wanted by cops in connection with alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool reaches into the water.
The blurry video appears to capture the woman crouching down and reaching in before pulling at something along the edge of the pool.
The incident unfolded at about 3.36pm on Friday, June 19, in Washington, DC.
The woman appears to have dark hair and is seen wearing a gray shirt, black shorts and carrying a light-colored handbag.
US Park Police released the footage on Wednesday as officers appealed for help identifying her.
Police have not accused the woman of damaging the pool and have only said they want to speak with her as part of their investigation into the destruction of government property.
Officials have not publicly said what she allegedly removed from the pool or whether she was carrying a tool.
However, a separate federal court filing revealed that a sharp knife or razor was previously used to slice through material sealing the renovated structure.
National Park Service Deputy Director Frank Lands said officers were called to the pool on June 9, shortly after the rehabilitation project was largely completed.
The damage included caulk covering foam sealant that “was cut with a sharp knife or razor,” according to Lands’ declaration.
The delaminating surface material was also destroyed, and around 70 fence-post caps were allegedly hurled into the water.
The court filing did not identify a suspect in that earlier incident.
It is also unclear whether police believe the woman shown in the newly released footage was linked to the June 9 damage.
An Interior Department spokesperson previously described that case as isolated while authorities investigated.
“So as not to encourage deranged individuals, we did not announce what we hoped to be an isolated incident,” the spokesperson told ABC News.
But officials said further incidents followed as videos emerged showing people pulling at the pool’s surface.
“It wasn’t until several days thereafter that there were recurring cases and videos of people ripping at the coating began to circulate,” the spokesperson said.
“We then knew this was not an isolated incident, but a new trend to attempt to damage the Reflecting Pool.”
Chain-link fencing has now been thrown up around sections of the landmark as officials tighten security.
Footage from Tuesday showed workers sealing off parts of the pool while officers guarded the surrounding area.
The barriers appeared after Trump announced that a sixth person had been arrested over the alleged vandalism.
The Interior Department said fencing had always been planned because fireworks will be launched near the pool during America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
However, officials said it was installed earlier than expected following the string of alleged attacks.
The Interior Department said on Thursday that seven people had been arrested, another seven had received federal citations and 18 police reports had been filed.
The White House also released photos and footage that it said documented deliberate slashes through the liner, sides and coating.
It claimed fencing and other debris had also been thrown into the water.
President Donald Trump said those responsible appeared to have used a box cutter, razor or knife before tearing at the surface.
“They went down with probably a box cutter or a very sharp razor of some kind or a knife, and they cut, and then they started ripping it up,” he said in the Oval Office on Wednesday.
“You know why? Because they’re sick people.”
Trump demanded lengthy jail sentences and claimed the attacks were driven by “Trump Derangement Syndrome.”
“These people should go to jail for a long time,” he said.
The president said some water would be released from the pool to allow crews to repair the damaged areas.
He also alleged that acid had been poured on grass surrounding the landmark.
“Around the Reflecting Pool, we have a huge field of grass,” Trump said.
“They poured acid on the grass, the same people, I guess.”
“It killed – you know, acid kills grass quickly – so that’s being fixed.”
Trump had earlier claimed chemicals were “illegally placed in the water” and speculated that fertilizer may have caused algae to return.
The green growth appeared shortly after his administration’s roughly $16million renovation aimed to give the pool an “American Flag Blue” appearance.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/16584501/woman-vandalizes-reflecting-pool-knife-surveillance/
