Utica teen accused of ongoing vandalism around city

A teenager has been charged with felony mischief for smashing out a vehicle’s windows with a hammer on Mary Street, according to the Utica Police Department.

Police said Savion Woodard, 18, used a hammer to shatter the rear window and the rear passenger windows on a vehicle in the 700 block of Mary Street on May 17. Police said Woodard then fled the area through nearby back yards.

Responding officers viewed surveillance footage of the area and recognized Woodard.

On May 19, officers responded to the 1000 block of Rudolph Place for reports of a male throwing objects at a residence, breaking the front window. Police said the male fled and the homeowner chased him to Morris Street, where the teen was taken into custody by officers and was identified as Woodard again.

Police said it was eventually determined that Woodard was also responsible for three additional reports of criminal vandalism in the city over the past several weeks.

Woodard is charged with one count of second-degree mischief, a class D felony, and multiple counts of misdemeanor fourth-degree mischief, police said. He is scheduled to appear in Utica City Court.