A woman was arrested in Andover, MA for vandalizing a local resident’s Trump campaign sign, and nearly running over the homeowner early Saturday morning, according to CBS Boston.
Identified by Andover police as Susan Bryant, the North Reading resident spray painted the words “Gold Star Fail!” as well as a vulgar reference to Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
With several other incidents of vandalism on the same property, Bryant was arrested and charged with four counts of defacing property, as well as one count of assault by means of a dangerous weapon.
Homeowner Art Gonsalves reportedly caught Bryant in the act, causing her to make a panicked getaway in her car and for Gonsalves to dodge the oncoming vehicle. Otherwise unharmed, the homeowner expressed he was “absolutely terrified.”
Andover Police Chief Patrick Keefe urged the importance of freedom of speech during a presidential election season. “Opinions as to who the next President should and may differ. The ability to express those opinions openly and freely is the cornerstone of democracy in our country.”
The vandal will be arraigned in the Lawrence District Court on Tuesday.