Cops: Vineland City Hall vandal applied for police job

VINELAND – Some cases are easier to solve than others, such as when a man wanted for questioning in connection with an outburst at City Hall shows up at the police station to apply for a job.

That's what happened Wednesday to a man wanted for allegedly vandalizing a hallway outside Mayor Ruben Bermudez's office at City Hall, according to city spokesman Michael Tofanelli.

The incident occurred about 1 p.m. Tuesday based on a copy of security video footage that The Daily Journal obtained on Wednesday.

Police have not released any information, including the man's name.

"My understanding is some minor damage was done to the lobby by a gentlemen who had stopped by to see the mayor," Tofanelli said in an email.

Tofanelli said the mayor was out for lunch at the time. His office is on the top floor, not far from City Solicitor Richard Tonetta's office.

"Do not know what he was upset about ...," Tofanelli said. "Today, the individual in question actually stopped by the Police Department to apply for a job and was taken into custody."

Tofanelli said the man was charged with criminal mischief.

Video shows a man, wearing shorts and a beret, getting off an elevator that exits into the lobby.

The man heads right, turning a corner into a short hallway that leads to Tonetta's office. The man then comes back to the main hallway, where he approaches an area where a topographical model of the city sits on a table.

The man then raises his leg and appears to stomp or kick. The camera does not show what he was kicking.

The man then proceeds to a wall outside the mayor's office and removes items from the wall. A trash can also is knocked over.

Other video shows the man leaving City Hall by its front doors.

A call to the city solicitor's office was not returned.

Joseph P. Smith; (856) 563-5252; jsmith@gannettnj.com