Man charged after vandalizing MU sorority house

A man was arrested Thursday afternoon after entering the Alpha Chi Omega house without permission.

According to a probable cause statement, John Taylor spray painted a piece of air conditioning equipment with the tag “GMS” and another symbol inside the house.

Sorority members Rebecca Derouse and Alainna Wagg said Taylor snuck into the house as another student was returning home late Thursday night.

“Actually he followed a girl,” Wagg said. “He was kind of far back behind her and was trying to video tape her putting in a code, but then he realized it was a fingerprint, so he scooped behind her and ran up to the third floor.”

Court documents said Taylor told police he was looking for one of the women inside the house. It’s still unclear why he spray painted the symbols inside.

Security cameras also recorded Taylor spray painting a City of Columbia dumpster that was outside of the Alpha Chi Omega house.

Waggs and Derouse said they’re thankful for the security features outside their house that helped police identify and arrest Taylor. Both women said they feel still feel safe staying at the house.

“We have a fingerprint system to all the doors to get into the house,” Derouse said. “And we have cameras to see if people are coming in who aren’t supposed to come in.”

Taylor has been charged with first degree burglary, second degree property damage and a second degree misdemeanor warrant for property damage.