Pre-trial conference for group charged in Locke St. vandalism

The eight people charged in the vandalism spree on Hamilton’s Locke St. will be back in court at the end of the month.

On Mar 3. about 30 people vandalized the strip of businesses along the street by throwing rocks, smashing store windows and damaging vehicles.

They were carrying a sign that read: “we are the ungovernables.”

Homes and vehicles on nearby Aberdeen Ave. were also damaged.

Total damage from that night is estimated at $100,000.

After a brief court appearance Wednesday, the seven men and one woman facing charges were given another court date.

They have a pre-trial conference Sept. 28.

Of the eight people charged, six are from Hamilton, one is from London and another from Montreal.

Charged are:

• 31-year-old Peter Hopperton
• 23-year-old Jack Duckworth, from Hamilton
• 32-year-old Tammy Kovich from Hamilton
• 26-year-old Tyler Nadeau from Montreal
• 34-year-old Alexander Balch from Hamilton
• 31-year-old Matthew Lowell-Pelletier from Hamilton
• 34-year-old David Prychitka from Hamilton
• 27-year-old Andrew Cadotte from London

Police believe all these individuals have a connection to The Tower, which they describe as a collective, anarchist space.

They face a slew of charges including Unlawful Assembly While Masked and Mischief Over $5,000.