Hunter
03/14/24
An area transient who allegedly threatened to kill an Old Capitol Town Center security guard last month and trashed the Laundromania location on East Bloomington Street last week faces new charges.
On March 3rd, 27-year-old Michael Pennell was in a business on the 300 block of East Burlington Street at approximately 12:40 am when he allegedly struck a window and shattered it. He had been trespassed from the business three years prior. The estimated cost to replace the window was $600.
Police also say Pennell struck a woman just after 8pm last Thursday in the area of Burlington and Clinton Street. She told police that Pennell hit her in the face and threw her to the ground.
On Monday, Pennell allegedly returned to the Old Capitol Town Center despite being trespassed from the location last week for knocking chairs over in the common seating area. He was taken into custody and released. Then during the noon hour, Pennell allegedly swung at an employee taking a cigarette break outside Kirkwood Liquor and Tobacco. The victim said he didn’t know Pennell and there had been no prior interaction to the incident. He then made his way to Romantix down the block and reportedly knocked over a flower pot, then broke a nearby Little Free Library structure.
Pennell was charged with 4th degree Criminal Mischief and Trespass causing Damage for the March 3rd incident; Assault causing Bodily Injury for the March 7th incident; and for incidents that occurred Monday, Pennell was charged with Trespass, Assault with intent to cause Injury, and 5th degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on the counts against him, he could be sentenced to up to 38 months in jail.
