The New Braunfels woman suspected of using a shovel to bash in the door of the Comal Democratic Party headquarters on San Antonio Street around 3 a.m. Tuesday morning apparently slipped through the fingers of the New Braunfels Police Department (NBPD), which arrested her for throwing rocks at cars around 4 p.m. Wednesday and took her to Guadalupe County Jail in Seguin, where she bonded her out before police could connect the two incidents.
According to a post on nbtexas.org, police have now issued an arrest warrant for 38-year-old Valerie Jean Riedel of New Braunfels, who was initially arrested for public intoxication but released on a $500 personal recognizance bond.
The warrant is for Class A Misdemeanor Criminal Mischief, punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and/or up to one year in jail.
“Based on a number of factors, to include the clothing she was wearing at the time of her arrest, it was determined that Riedel was the person responsible for the recent vandalism at the Democratic Party headquarters,” city Media Relations Coordinator David Ferguson posted online.
Officers were responding to reports of a female standing in the roadway throwing rocks and other items at passing vehicles when they arrested Riedel on Wednesday.
“We very much appreciate the quick response from the New Braunfels Police Department and their hard work identifying the person responsible for this damage,” said Comal Democratic Party Chair Marilyn Aden. “We also appreciate the help of the local and national media in helping to bring attention to this case. It is our hope that this was an isolated incident and that we can continue to do the work we do for the Comal County Democratic Party without further disruption. We are grateful that we live in a community that appreciates civil discourse and rejects this type of violent behavior.”
New Braunfels is located in both Guadalupe and Comal counties. The rock-throwing incident occurred in the area of Green Valley Road and FM 1044, which is part of Guadalupe County. Democratic headquarters, located at 1592 W. San Antonio Ave., lies in Comal County.
According to online jail records, Riedel also was arrested on Feb. 14, 2016 and charged with interfering with an emergency call and assault by contact. She was released on personal-recognizance bonds and charges were dismissed in July of 2017.
