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Update: Police Release Video, Drop Case Involving Tarred Bench

Bloomington Police Department

Bloomington police have released two videos of a man applying tar to a downtown bench (scroll down to see videos). The man is unidentifiable in both videos.

The department is ended its investigation on May 12 into an incident last month in which tar was spread over a public bench in an apparent effort to deter a homeless man from using the bench.

The man's only set of clothes was ruined.

Police say they have insufficient evidence to make an arrest.

Torii More,  who works downtown and befriended the man, says she is disappointed that police are dropping the case.

"Someone has to know something. I suspect this was targeted. It was one bench and it's one person sitting on this bench a lot, so it was someone or some ones not liking him being there," More said.

Credit Bill Waller
This bench at Monroe and Mulberry Streets frequented by a homeless man in Bloomington was defaced with tar.

Surveillance video (released on Tuesday, May 17) from area businesses and public security cameras show a figure defacing the bench. Police say they were unable to identify the suspect, who was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and sweat pants.

Interviews with area business owners yielded no additional evidence. 

The incident took place at about 6 a.m. on Saturday April 30th. City officials said the bench at Main and Mulberry Streets has been removed for cleaning, but will be brought back.

More said she believes someone was trying to send a message to homeless people who often have nowhere else but public areas to congregate during the day. "Pushing someone or something away, out of sight isn't  going to solve the problem. I just hope someone will come forward with some [new] information and the police will investigate," she added.
 

If apprehended, the suspect likely would have faced a misdemeanor charge of defacing property worth under $300,  which carries a penalty of community service of no less than 30 hours and no more than 120, police said.

Bloomington City Council member Karen Schmidt said she has asked city officials to meet with social service agency members and the Bloomington Downtown Association to look further into the bench incident and seek better daytime options for the area's homeless.