Lombard teen charged with $80,000 vandalism at sewage plant

A Lombard teen appeared in DuPage County court Saturday facing accusations he caused about $80,000 in damage to a Glenbard Wastewater Authority facility during two separate acts of vandalism in recent weeks.

Luke Howell, 18, of the 100 block of East Ash Street, is charged with criminal damage to property alleging he damaged water meters at the Lombard facility Feb. 23 and March 9. The charge is a Class 3 felony punishable by a maximum two to five years in prison.

"The allegations against Mr. Howell are very serious," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in an announcement of the charge. "Vandalism of any kind, particularly to an agency charged with protecting public health and the environment for more than 100,000 DuPage County residents, is unacceptable and if found guilty, Mr. Howell will find himself facing some very serious consequences."

The charge alleges Howell damaged the water meters by striking them with a brick.

Howell appeared in bond court Saturday morning, when Judge Michael Reidy released him on a $10,000 recognizance bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 2.