The Pine Bluff Public Library was severely damaged late Saturday night, resulting in an estimated $20,000 or more in destruction. A 30-year-old man, Quandarian Green, was arrested in connection with the incident. Ricky Williams, the library director, reported that security cameras captured Green walking back and forth in front of the library, picking up rocks to break two windows, and then kicking in the broken panes to enter the building. Once inside, Green caused significant damage, including destroying televisions, computers, and an RFID device valued at $6,000, tearing thermostats off the walls, and spraying a fire extinguisher throughout the first floor. The cafe area was also heavily vandalized. Williams noted that the library staff worked into the early morning hours to secure the building, and they remained in shock over the destruction.
An incident report from the Pine Bluff Police Department revealed that officers responded to an alarm at the library and found a suspicious male outside. After speaking with Green, he claimed to have been charging his phone near the building. However, the police compared his appearance with that of the individual seen in the security footage and found a match. Green was wearing a brown jacket, black jeans, and a hat and mask, similar to the person seen in the video.
Williams suggested that the incident may be related to a previous confrontation he had with an individual approximately 18 months ago. During that earlier encounter, the man had been threatening and hostile toward Williams and library staff, and after being banned from the library, he pulled a knife on Williams. Williams believed Green’s actions might be a form of retaliation for this prior incident, as he identified Green from the security footage.
The library’s internal alarm system was triggered around 11:45 p.m., and Green was inside for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Additionally, the nearby UAPB small business development building, located across the street, was also damaged, though no suspect was identified in that case.
Green was arrested and booked into the W.C. “Dub” Brassell County Jail on charges of burglary and first-degree criminal mischief. The library remained closed on Monday to allow staff time to clean and restore the building, including replacing damaged computers and reactivating the library’s services.
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