Man vandalizes Planned Parenthood

A man allegedly broke into Planned Parenthood early Thursday morning and caused more than an estimated $2,500 in damanges to the inside of the facility using an ax.

Benjamin D. Curell, 27, of Ellettsville, was arrested and preliminarily charged with burglary and criminal mischief. He is booked at the Monroe County Jail with bond set at $500 surety and $500 cash.

At about 3:50 a.m. Thursday, police responded to Planned Parenthood, 421 S. College Ave., in reference to a report of a man breaking into the building, according to a press release issued by Bloomington Police Department Captain Joe Qualters.

Upon arrival, officers located Curell inside the building, carrying an ax. Red paint had been splattered onto the building, according to the release.

The suspect told police he targeted Planned Parenthood due to abortions being performed at the facility.

He also told police he planned to damage the building because they “kill” and “murder” babies, attributing his actions to his religious beliefs.

A complete inventory of the damage is currently pending, but the front door, front office and some office equipment were heavily damaged, according to a press release issued by Planned Parenthood of Indiana Thursday. It appeared no confidential information was accessed during the incident.

“First and foremost, we are extremely thankful that no one was in the building at the time of this incident,” Planned Parenthood of Indiana President and CEO Betty Cockrum said in the release. “Our thoughts are with our staff, who understandably are quite shaken by this news.”

The center remained opened for limited purposes Thursday, but Cockrum said she hoped the facility would be fully operational as soon as possible.

“We are of course working closely with local law enforcement regarding this incident, but no matter what the case, this individual will not deter us from continuing our mission to provide preventive care such as birth control, Pap tests, testicular and breast exams and STD testing and treatment, in addition to abortion services, in Bloomington,” Cockrum said.

— Kirsten Clark