Suspect breaks sprinkler, floods Calif. station

350 gallons of water per minute gushed from the ceiling, flooding a police station in Modesto

Associated Press

MODESTO, Calif. — Police in Modesto, Calif. are wading through the damage from a flood at the downtown station after a suspect broke a sprinkler.

Police say 33-year-old Joseph McHenry was in a second-floor interrogation room Wednesday evening when he smashed a sprinkler, sending 350 gallons of water per minute gushing from the ceiling. The water seeped through the floor and soaked the workstations below.

The city had to shut off water and electricity to the building. Workers were evacuated during the cleanup.

McHenry had been arrested on suspicion of methamphetamine possession and a bail violation. Sgt. Rick Armendariz says he'll now face a felony vandalism charge as well.