Third Suspect Arrested in ROTC Vans

A third suspect was arrested Wednesday after damaging two ROTC vans on the Kent campus with molotov-type cocktails in February 2015.

On Jan. 11, Michael Lucas pleaded not guilty to two counts of arson, both fourth-degree felonies. Lucas also pleaded not guilty to two counts of vandalism, a fourth-degree felony and a fifth-degree felony. Lucas posted $5,000 bail and was released until a future court date.

Lucas’s bond states he must live with his parents in Stow, and is unable to leave Ohio. The fourth-degree felony could put Lucas in prison for up to eighteen months; his fifth is punishable by six to 12 months.

Lucas attended Kent State and Stow-Monroe Falls High School.

Lucas Emilio Vidal, a Kent State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology, and Evan Ecklund reportedly smashed two government-owned ROTC vans – one completely destroyed by the firebombing and the other showing damaged windows after the cocktail failed to ignite. Costs to repair damages exceeded $16,000.

Vidal and Ecklund both pleaded guilty in November. They were found using evidence from the crime scene, matching surveillance footage and tracing their shoe prints to those at the scene.

Kent State Police were unable to comment.

Payton Moore is the senior reporter for The Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].