Man charged with vandalizing Porter County Courthouse

A Michigan man has been charged with vandalizing the a northwest Indiana courthouse overnight, leading to its closure Wednesday.

An employee arriving to work at the Porter County Courthouse at 16 E. Lincolnway in Valparaiso, Indiana, about 5:45 a.m. Wednesday found a man inside the building, according to Valparaiso police.

The man had broken a window on the east side of the courthouse to get inside, police said. He then broke multiple windows once he was inside and also broke several other items, including office equipment, an electrical panel and vending machines.

Damage to the courthouse is estimated at $12,000, according to police.

The man, 26-year-old Kristopher Newcomb of Battle Creek, Michigan, was charged with burglary, theft, disorderly conduct and criminal mischief, police said. He is being held at the Porter County Jail.

The courthouse remains closed Wednesday afternoon.