A Fairfield man is facing multiple charges after allegedly going on an early-morning vandalism spree, damaging nearly two dozen vehicles before threatening to kill an arresting officer.
Brian Johnson, 55, of Fairfield, was taken into custody in the early hours of Thursday, April 30th after officers with the Fairfield Police Department responded to multiple reports of a man acting erratically near Court Street and Briggs Avenue.
According to a Fairfield Police Department press release and court documents, officers were dispatched around 3:37 a.m. following calls about a male subject screaming and yelling in the street and allegedly damaging parked vehicles with a large knife. When officers arrived, they located Johnson approximately six blocks from the reported scene. Johnson told officers he had been in the area and admitted to having a verbal confrontation with another person. He was taken into custody for disorderly conduct.
During a search incident to arrest, officers discovered a 12-inch butcher knife on Johnson’s person. According to court filings, surveillance video capturing Johnson in the act of damaging vehicles was obtained and submitted as evidence.
As the investigation unfolded, the full scale of the damage became clear. According to court documents, officers identified 20 vehicles that had allegedly been targeted — 17 of which had their tires slashed, while the letter “X” had been carved into the body panels of three others. The press release states the estimated total damage is between $5,000 and $8,000.
While being transported to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility, Johnson allegedly told the arresting officer that he was going to kill him.
According to court records, Johnson faces three charges in connection with the incident:
- Criminal Mischief — 2nd Degree (Class D Felony)
- Harassment — 1st Degree (Aggravated Misdemeanor)
- Disorderly Conduct (Simple Misdemeanor)
According to court filings, Johnson was released on his own recognizance (ROR) on the disorderly conduct charge. For the harassment charge, he was issued a $2,000 cash-only bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 11th. He has not yet had his initial appearance on the felony criminal mischief charge.
Johnson is currently being held at the Jefferson County Correctional Facility.
The Fairfield Police Department stated the case remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the department.
