The flowers had an estimated value of $300, according to police. Bishop said the flowers included various roses, hibiscus and hostas. Fast action allowed her to replant most of them, but she lost two hibiscus plants that were too badly damaged to save.
“I don’t have any money to replace it,” she said.
In addition to the destruction, Bishop told police Perry called her about 30 times and left voice messages stating he had damaged the garden.
Police said they listened to the messages, including one stating, “Wait until you wake up in the morning and see your flower bed.”
Bishop said at one point she attempted to confront Perry while he was outside the house, but he began yelling at her and pushed her back, according to the report.
Bishop said she had known Perry most of her life and she sometimes lent him money or did laundry for him. “He was just a drunk idiot and he used to be a friend of mine,” Bishop said. “I don’t know why he ripped out the flowers.”
According to the police report, the number where the calls originated from was that of Hillbilly Heaven at 2502 Atco Ave. Police responded there and located Perry, who they described as extremely intoxicated and who had a large amount of dirt on his pants and hands.
Police said initially he denied he was Perry, but after he was asked for identification he admitted who he really was. Perry was arrested for criminal damaging and disorderly conduct with intoxication and transported to Middletown City Jail.
In Middletown Municipal Court Tuesday, Sept. 7, Perry pleaded no contest to the charges. He was ordered to pay a total of $400 in costs and sentenced to 27 days in jail. The jail time was suspended on the condition that Perry not appear in court again during that time, according to court officials.
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