Pirate's Cove

RALEIGH, N.C. — Authorities say an apparent mob of vandals caused some smoke damage inside of North Carolina Republican Party headquarters on Hillsborough Street late Friday night.

The building also had some broken windows, posters with political messages scattered around and vulgar words spraypainted on the walls.

The sign in front of the building was shattered and sprayed with graffiti.

It also appeared that the vandals intended to burn down the building. Police said they found Roman candles and wooden devices they believe could be used to start a fire.

The office is actually relatively close to several colleges, including North Carolina State U, Meredith College, Shaw University, and Peace College.

"This is not a political statement," (Raleigh PD spokesman Jim) Sughrue said. "A political statement is what we made Tuesday. This is a crime."

Cross posted at the Command Post Election 2004

Updated (8:10pm) Unlike what some of the national papers have reported there were arrests:

Police caught none of the protesters from either demonstration.

But two neighbors did.

Hearing a commotion, John Robbins and a neighbor captured and detained three protesters until police arrived.

"I found them between the garages taking off their black clothes," Robbins said, adding that one of the female protesters bit him on the shoulder.

Vanessa Marie Zuloaga, 24, and Melissa Lynn Brown, 18, both of Columbia, S.C., and David Reuben Hensley, 20, of Raleigh were each charged with one count of causing malicious damage to property by use of an incendiary device, a felony. All three remained in the Wake County jail late Saturday, each being held in lieu of $50,000 bail. (Note: cannot wait to find out what college they attend)