Man charged after allegedly throwing bricks through downtown windows

Boards cover broken windows Monday, March 7, 2016, at the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St., and Hobbs Inc., 700 Massachusetts St., not shown. One man was arrested early Monday morning on suspicion of throwing bricks through the windows.

A 55-year-old man remains in Douglas County Jail after allegedly throwing bricks through windows of two downtown businesses early Monday morning.

Gary Wayne Woods was charged Monday in Douglas County District Court with one misdemeanor and one felony count of criminal damage to property, Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson said. The felony count stems from damage of more than $1,000, he said.

Woods was arrested on suspicion of throwing bricks through three windows of the Eldridge Hotel, 701 Massachusetts St, at 3:06 a.m. Sunday and another brick through a window at Hobbs, 700 Massachusetts St, at 3:21 a.m., Branson said. Bond for Woods, who is identified in jail booking logs as transient, was set at $3,000. A court appearance to schedule his preliminary hearing has been set for March 14.

Particle board now covers a large plate-glass window, a door window and door-accent window at the Eldridge and one large plate-glass window at Hobbs.

Melissa Ridder, manager of Ten restaurant and the Jayhawker Bar at the Eldridge, said a hotel employee responded to noise from the Jayhawker about 3 a.m. He saw the alleged brick thrower standing on the sidewalk and called police. Woods was arrested in connection with the incidents when police arrived.

Ridder and Shauna Swanson, the Hobbs manager, said the large plate-glass windows would have to be special ordered and it could be a couple of weeks before the glass is replaced.