Sheriff seeks help identifying vandalism spree suspect
TL;DR: Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office arrested a Midlothian man for vandalizing four public and commercial buildings in a single night, including the county courthouse and central library.
Quick facts
- Who: Andrew Stillerman, 39-year-old Midlothian resident
- What: Vandalism spree targeting courthouse, library, gas station, and restaurant; suspect threw brick through courthouse doors, smashed doors and windows
- When: May 6, 2026, around 11:30 p.m.; suspect arrested May 10, 2026
- Where: Chesterfield County, Virginia — Courthouse and Iron Bridge Roads area (courthouse, central library, Sheetz, First Watch restaurant)
The story
On the evening of May 6, 2026, an unidentified man embarked on a vandalism spree across central Chesterfield County around 11:30 p.m., damaging four separate facilities in rapid succession. The suspect began at a Sheetz gas station off Courthouse and Iron Bridge Roads, where he stole a flag from a flagpole. He then walked to the Chesterfield County Courthouse downtown and attempted to steal the courthouse flag; when unsuccessful, he removed his pants, grabbed a brick, and threw it through the front doors of the main courthouse entrance before redressing himself.
Moving next door to the Chesterfield County Central Library, the suspect used a large rock to smash a door. He then continued to the nearby First Watch restaurant, where he broke windows. The rapid succession of attacks across multiple public and commercial facilities alarmed county officials and prompted Sheriff Karl Leonard to request public assistance in identifying the suspect.
Sheriff Leonard indicated that the vandalism did not appear to be targeted at any particular institution or individual, but rather represented random acts of destruction by someone who may be experiencing mental health challenges. Leonard expressed concern about how untreated mental health issues can create cycles of criminal justice involvement, characterizing the incidents as symptomatic of a person "who was struggling."
On May 10, 2026, just four days after the vandalism spree, authorities identified and arrested 39-year-old Andrew Stillerman of the 700 block of Abbey Drive Circle in Midlothian. Stillerman now faces both felony and misdemeanor destruction of property charges. The Sheriff's Office Investigative Unit continues to gather information and welcomes additional tips from the public.
Key players
- Andrew Stillerman — Suspect, charged with felony and misdemeanor destruction of property
- Sheriff Karl Leonard — Chesterfield County Sheriff, led investigation and characterized incidents as acts by someone struggling with mental health
- Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office — Law enforcement agency investigating the vandalism spree
Key dates
- 2026-05-06 — Vandalism spree occurred around 11:30 p.m.
- 2026-05-10 — Andrew Stillerman identified and arrested on felony and misdemeanor destruction of property charges
The case for
Public assistance in identifying and apprehending vandalism suspects helps law enforcement quickly remove individuals causing property damage from the community and may prevent further incidents. Early identification and arrest can also enable the justice system to connect individuals like Stillerman with mental health services and crisis intervention programs that might address underlying issues driving criminal behavior, potentially reducing future recidivism.
The case against
Charging someone with felony destruction of property based on vandalism incidents—particularly when mental health struggles may be the root cause—can create barriers to future employment, housing, and social reintegration that may perpetuate cycles of instability. Some argue that resources might be better spent on proactive mental health intervention, crisis services, and community-based support rather than prosecution alone, especially for non-violent property crimes that do not cause physical harm to individuals.
Why it matters: The incident highlights both the vulnerability of critical county facilities like the courthouse and library to property damage and the intersection of mental health crisis and criminal justice in Chesterfield County. It underscores the need for balanced approaches to public safety that address both immediate property protection and underlying factors driving criminal behavior.
Places
- Chesterfield County Courthouse
- Chesterfield County Central Library
- Sheetz (Courthouse and Iron Bridge Roads)+Chesterfield+VA)
- First Watch restaurant
- Midlothian
Development timeline
- 2026-05-06Vandalism spree across Chesterfield County: Suspect stole flag from Sheetz, threw brick through courthouse doors, smashed library door, and broke windows at restaurant around 11:30 p.m. [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/chesterfield-facilities-vandalized-may-6-2026)
- 2026-05-10Suspect identified and arrested: Andrew Stillerman, 39, of Midlothian arrested on felony and misdemeanor destruction of property charges [[source]](https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/chesterfield-county/andrew-stillerman-wamted-may-10-2026)
Related links
- Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office
- Non-Emergency Crime Reporting — Chesterfield County
- Report or Request Police Information
Read the original at Google News: Chesterfield County →
Sources
- Sheriff seeks help identifying suspect in Chesterfield vandalism spree
- Chesterfield County identifies man now wanted for courthouse vandalism spree
- Half-naked courthouse vandal arrested
- Chesterfield County Sheriff's Office