Man arrested for causing $23k in damage to sculpture at Phoenix Art Museum

PHOENIX — A Mesa man was arrested and charged with criminal damage after police say he threw pieces of a marble wall at a dinosaur sculpture outside the Phoenix Art Museum, causing at least $23,000 in damage. 

Todd Maddox, 59, was seen on video Mar. 31 ripping pieces off a marble wall at the museum at 1625 Central Avenue and throwing it at a dinosaur sculpture on the front of the property causing extensive damage, according to court documents. 

Museum security told police they had a written estimate of $23,000 in damages for the sculpture alone, not including the marble wall. A few hours after the incident, police located Maddox a few blocks north at the Heard Museum and arrested him. 

When questioned, court documents reveal Maddox “accepted full responsibility for the damage and admitted he was angry at the City of Phoenix.” Police said Maddox also admitted to drinking and using meth. 

Maddox further admitted to throwing a rock at a Waymo car, breaking the front windshield, and throwing a rock at a Tempe business. 

A spokesperson for the museum told 12News they are working closely with law enforcement but had no further comment. 

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