COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio-based grocery store chain Kroger is stepping up to help after a beloved "Brutus" statue was vandalized outside of an Ohio State University book store. 

What You Need To Know

  • The iconic Brutus statue outside an Ohio State University book store was vandalized over the weekend

  • Security footage shows an individial kicking, stomping and throwing the fiberglass statue across Lane Avenue in the early morning hours on Nov. 24

  • The destruction occured less than a week from OSU's most anticipated game and last regular season game of the year against Michigan

“I just felt devastated, you know? I mean, who would do this? And on the biggest week of the year,” said Kelly Dawes, Owner of Campus Traditions book store.

Security footage shows an individial kicking, stomping and throwing the fiberglass statue across Lane Avenue in the early morning hours on Nov. 24. 

Columbus Police announced Tuesday that they have arrested 21-year-old Thomas Sugar in connection to the vandalism. 

The destruction occured less than a week from OSU's most anticipated game and last regular season game of the year: their match up against long time rival, Michigan.

“It was just a brutal attack. I mean, it wasn't just somebody who came up and punched brutus, it was somebody who just took their time, and it was over a minute of just beating him," said Dawes, who has been one of the store's owners since 1991. "I was the one that made the contact with Ohio State to do both the Brutus on parade and our sculpture of Woody. So they're, they're kind of like my fourth and fifth kids." 

The statue had stood out in front of the store since 2008 and with the game against the "team up north" just days away, Kroger stepped up to help make things right.

“We obviously knew that we had our own Brutus statue, and we said we got to help, right? We have to help College Traditions, but more importantly, we have to help Buckeye Nation," said Mark Bruce, corporate affairs manager of the Columbus Division of The Kroger Co. 

Tuesday, with the help of Brutus himself, a statue returned to its rightful place outside of College Traditions. 

“I was just, I was in awe by their gesture," Dawes said. "I thought, what a great neighbor." 

Columbus Police Detectives will be requesting vandalism and grand theft charges be filed against Sugar, both of which are fourth degree felonies. 

Dawes said she hopes their Brutus will be able to be repaired and returned to its place in front of the store, soon. 

Related Stories