A 26-year-old man was arrested early Monday after he allegedly vandalised the Cincinnati home and vehicle of United States Vice President JD Vance, according to official reports. The incident, witnessed by a US Secret Service agent, has raised security concerns.
Hammer Attack on Vice Presidential Residence
William DeFoor is accused of running up to the Vice President's house on William Howard Taft Drive and using a hammer to break four windows. The arrest report states that the suspect also caused damage to Vice President Vance's official vehicle. The attack occurred around midnight.
A US Secret Service agent present at the scene witnessed DeFoor's actions. When the agent ordered him to stop, the suspect reportedly fled the area. Authorities were alerted immediately, with Cincinnati police dispatchers confirming they received a call from the Secret Service at 12:15 a.m., informing them that the suspect was on the run.
Swift Arrest and Past Criminal Record
DeFoor was later apprehended by Secret Service personnel and booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center. Fortunately, Vance and his family were not in Ohio at the time of the vandalism, having already returned to Washington DC.
Court documents reveal that this is not DeFoor's first offence. In April, he pleaded guilty to two counts of vandalism for causing over $2,000 in damages to a Hyde Park interior design company. For that crime, he was sentenced to two years of treatment at a mental health facility and ordered to pay $5,550 in restitution.
Due to this criminal history, a high bond was recommended for DeFoor following his latest arrest. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Hamilton County Municipal Court on Tuesday.
Official Response and Vance's Statement
In an official statement, the US Secret Service confirmed they are "coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department and the US Attorney’s Office as charging decisions are reviewed."
Vice President Vance addressed the incident publicly, expressing gratitude for the swift response. "I appreciate everyone’s well wishes about the attack at our home. As far as I can tell, a crazy person tried to break in by hammering the windows. I’m grateful to the secret service and the Cincinnati police for responding quickly," he stated.
He also made a personal request to media outlets, asking them to consider the privacy of his children. "We try to protect our kids as much as possible from the realities of this life of public service. In that light, I am skeptical of the news value of plastering images of our home with holes in the windows," Vance added.
The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced by high-profile public officials and their families, even at their private residences.
