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Tip leads to arrests of 3 teens connected to Lincoln County vandalism

By Liz Foster and Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com
By Liz Foster and Ken Lemon, wsoctv.com

LINCOLNTON, N.C. — A tip from the school resource officer at Piedmont High School in Union County has led to the arrest of three high school students involved in weekend spray-painting vandalism cases.

Adam Clark, 18, and two 16-year-olds, Cody Hedgecoe and Samantha Argo, were charged with two misdemeanor counts of injury to real property and one misdemeanor count of conspiracy.

The accused vandals hit businesses, a school, and a church, spray-painting various symbols including "666" and swastikas.

"That bothered me more than anything because we can fix all the other stuff, but fixing someone's heart, the person they were lashing out at, is the person who really wants to help them,” the Rev. Scott Mann of New Vision Ministries said.

At least eight places were targeted over the weekend.

Some of the spray paint has been cleaned or covered up. There were upside down crosses in the church parking lot. The number “666,” which is the number associated with the Antichrist, was painted on the dumpster and the word “anarchy" was painted on the property.

"We knew it was probably kids because they didn't even spell it right," Mann said.

The anti-religious messages were also found in several places in downtown Lincolnton, including on road signs.

The spirit rock at Lincolnton Middle School was painted with a symbol for anarchy, the words "Hail Satan," a swastika and curse words.

"Why do you have to come to a middle school and mess with a kid’s rock?” resident Kimberly Crum said. “That's for patriotism for the school."

Mann said he has prayed for the vandals and has already forgiven them but he wants to talk to them.

"They need to know that what they did was wrong but they need to also know there's forgiveness and mercy," he said.

Hedgeceo’s mother was frustrated to learn what her son and the two other teens are accused of.
She asked the judge Wednesday to release him from jail into her custody.
"I would love to take my discipline actions against him," the mother told the judge.
She told Channel 9 that this is not like him and she wants to personally make sure it doesn't happen again.
The judge asked if her son would have problems abiding by a curfew, if he were released.

"He will abide by anything and everything,” the mother said. “Trust me."

Mann applauded the mother, who said her son will personally deliver apologizes to business he allegedly defamed.

"She has taken ownership of what her son has done and is going to make him take ownership," Mann said.

The trio faces additional charges from the Lincolnton Police Department.

Cox Media Group

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