Westview Elementary vandalism, burglary suspect jailed after medical evaluation

The 22-year-old who is suspected of vandalizing Westview Elementary School so badly Tuesday morning that it had to close all day for repairs was arrested and jailed Thursday after spending time under medical evaluation at Erlanger Medical Center.

Aaron Roden only had his boxer shorts on and was hanging from a TV mount attached to ceiling rafters before sheriff's deputies arrested him about 5 a.m. at the school on East Brainerd Road, the arrest report said.

He threw a computer printer at deputies, who then Tazed and cuffed him.

Before Roden was taken to Erlanger, he said that he intended "to do as much damage to the school as possible and then burn it down," the arrest report said.

Roden didn't have any connection to Westview Elementary School, school officials said.

Roden faces charges of aggravated assault, vandalism, and burglary.

Read more in tomorrow's Times Free Press.

photo Safety Inspector Frank Bilbrey, left, and Assistant Principal Ruthie Panni examine extensive damage caused by a vandal inside of a portable classroom at Westview Elementary School on Tuesday. Aaron Roden, 22, was apprehended and charged by police at the scene early Tuesday morning.

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