Man in Scream costume arrested after 6 attacks on Virginia community center
A 22-year-old Virginia man has been arrested after wearing a Scream costume and smashing windows at a homeowners association community center in Lorton on six occasions since early July, causing thousands of dollars in damage, according to police.
The arrest was made early Aug. 17 after detectives set up surveillance near the community center in the 9050 block of Lorton Station Boulevard in Fairfax County. Police said Zion Gibbs was seen walking nearby at about 4:24 a.m. before returning in the same costume seen during the earlier incidents.
Gibbs was wearing a Ghostface mask, a black robe, fluorescent gloves and white shoes with fluorescent laces when he grabbed bricks and ran toward the building, according to police. Detectives took him into custody before another window could be damaged.
Major James Curry of the Fairfax County Police Department said at a briefing that the attacks began on July 7. In each case, the suspect would appear wearing the costume, break a window with a hammer, brick or other object, and then flee.
Curry said investigators focused on Gibbs after receiving tips from the community and noting his proximity to the center. Detectives installed cameras and deployed officers in the area before making the arrest.
“There was no confession, no admission to this crime,” Curry said, adding that detectives had caught the suspect “in the full mask” before another act of vandalism could occur.
Gibbs faces three felony charges, three misdemeanor charges and a felony charge for wearing a mask in public. Curry said the damage to the community center was likely close to $10,000.
Police said nothing was stolen and no motive has been disclosed. Curry said Gibbs remains in custody and that the series of attacks has come to an end.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
