http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Commandments-monument-Capitol-destroyed.html
An Arkansas man who livestreamed himself driving his car into a new Ten Commandments monument less than 24 hours after it was placed on state Capitol grounds has been arrested.
Michael Reed, 32, has been charged with defacing objects of public interest, criminal trespass and first degree criminal mischief.
An 18-second video of the incident on Reed's Facebook page begins with music playing in a car before the driver shouts 'Oh my goodness' and then 'Freedom' before smashing into the monument.
Prior to ramming the monument, Reed shared another video on his Facebook page where he said his intent to start a GoFundMe to buy a new car afterwards.
On the fundraising page where he is seeking $20,000, Reed simply wrote, 'I need a new car now #CHECKMATE.'
The page has since been taken down after several people began donating money towards his campaign.
In that video, Reed says he is using a 2016 Dodge Dart, paid for with money he received from a work injury.
The new Ten Commandments monument outside the state Capitol in Little Rock, Ark., is blocked off Wednesday morning, June 28, 2017, after Reed crashed into it with a vehicle, police say
It was destroyed less than 24 hours after the privately funded monument was installed
Reed also posted this message Tuesday night: 'Our constitutional rights have been violated and since no one will do anything about it, I will.'
Other posts on Reed's Facebook page include several videos and religious posts.
In one video, he says, 'Yes, I am a pothead,' but cites a Biblical justification.
Secretary of State's Office spokesman Chris Powell says Capitol Police arrested Reed early Wednesday.
Powell said a Capitol police officer on patrol saw a car enter the Capitol grounds from the south before making a u-turn after passing the monument.
The officer realized something was wrong, but the vehicle had already rammed into the monument and stopped.
An 18-second video of the incident on Reed's Facebook page begins with music playing in a car before the driver shouts 'Oh my goodness' and then 'Freedom' before smashing into the monument
Prior to ramming the monument, Reed shared another video on his Facebook page where he shared his intent to start a GoFundMe to buy a new car afterwards. 'On the fundraising page where he is seeking $20,000, Reed simply wrote, 'I need a new car now #CHECKMATE.'
The officer immediately arrested Reed, and said he was 'cooperative' at the time.
The 32-year-old has been taken to St. Vincent for evaluation before being transferred to the county jail.
The stone monument fell to the ground and broke into multiple pieces after it was rammed by the car.
The privately funded monument was 6 feet tall and weighed 6,000 pounds.
It was installed Tuesday morning on the southwest lawn of the Capitol with little fanfare and no advance notice.
A 2015 law required the state to allow the display near the Capitol, and a state panel last month gave final approval to its design and location.
Sen. Jason Rapert, the man who sponsored the bill authorizing the monument, spoke on Tuesday about the project he raised funds for.
Rapert said no taxpayer dollars were spent on the monument, and instead funds were donated by individuals from around the country.
He created a GoFundMe seeking $16,635 on February 17, 21016 for the monument.
By March 1, 2016, he raised more than $18,500 to fund the project.
According to the GoFundMe page, the American History & Heritage Foundation was the private sponsor of the monument.
The construction and installation for the monument cost $12,635, and another $5,000 was raised for 'incidental expenses,' Rapert said.
Of the monument being destroyed, the Republican Arkansas state senator told Fox 19: 'My initial thought is that it's very disturbing, because this is an act of violence actually against the state of Arkansas, against the process.
'The super majority of the legislature passed this in 2015, Gov. Asa Hutchinson signed it into law.
'At zero tax payer expense, money was raised by the American History & Heritage Foundation and the donation was made to the people of Arkansas literally less than 24 hours after it was installed here yesterday.
'So my first thought is, we have a real problem with a lack of civility in this country. What kind of hatred is in people's hearts that would have them to come premeditated to drive to our state Capitol and carry out an act of violence, which is a felony and destroy property here in our state?'
Rapert vowed to have the monument put back up again.
