Linwood Police Announce Charge Against Man Who Destroyed Memorial

It was the early evening hours of February 24, that Donnah Marvel received a disturbing phone call.  She learned that someone had destroyed the roadside memorial that has stood on the side on Route 9 in Linwood since her son was killed by a drunk driver in 2004.

Marvel's son Nikk was an 18-year old pedestrian when he was struck and killed by a car.

From the phone call she learned that a man had stopped his car on New Road, got out, and literally destroyed the memorial. There were reports that he took the cross at the site and used it to smash all that was there.

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Now, Linwood Police have (finally) announced that a person has been charged in the case.

Police say the day after the memorial was attacked, they charged Stephen C. Symnoski of Somers Point with criminal mischief. Police say a court date is pending in his case.

Linwood Police also stated that they "would like to thank everyone for their support and assistance in this matter."

Police also reminded everyone that "in all cases, individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law."

No word from police about any possible motive in the attack.

We reached out Donnah Marvel about the charge being made public. She said, " I think he should pay restitution and apologize to Scarborough and to the community as well as to me." Scarborough is the owner of the property where the memorial sits. "They have always been kind to me."

The morning after the incident, several volunteers showed up to help Marvel rebuild the memorial.

SOURCE: Linwood Police Department