Career Criminal Arrested for Damaging County Building

On January 26th, at 7:49 p.m., Sangamon County Central Dispatch received a call from James J. Kirst, 45, of the 700 block of North 8th St, Springfield.  He stated he had thrown a metal pole through the front entrance of the Sangamon County Building. Kirst was located in the lobby of the Wyndham Hotel and arrested without incident.

Kirst was earlier arrested in the day by SPD for Criminal Trespass and had been issued a Notice to Appear (NTA) at 7:34 p.m. at the jail, (15 minutes prior to this event). Kirst was charged with Criminal Damage to Government Supported Property, over $500, a class 3 felony.  

Kirst is in custody and has refused to attend his first appearance.  Kirst has 42 previous arrests/charges.  

Estimated cost to repair/replace items damaged is $3500.