Man brought down from Columbia power plant tower reportedly wanted to ‘have fun’

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The man brought down from a retired smokestack at Columbia's Municipal Power Plant on Wednesday allegedly told police that he broke into the tower because he wanted to "have fun."

Richard Nichols, 33, was arrested Wednesday morning after refusing to come down from an enclosed platform about halfway up the tower for about an hour, according to a probable cause statement. During that time, he threw a toolbox to the ground and damaged a light, causing about $120 in damage, the statement says.

The platform is about 150 feet from the ground, according to the statement.

Nichols was charged with second-degree burglary, second-degree property damage and obstructing government operations. He remained in the Boone County Jail on Thursday with no bond.

The statement didn't give any more details about Nichols' reason for going up the tower.

An initial hearing is set for 1 p.m. Thursday.