Secret Service Apprehends Suspect Following Vandalism at Vice President Vance’s Cincinnati Home
Cincinnati, Monday, 5 January 2026.
Authorities arrested a 26-year-old man early Monday for allegedly using a hammer to damage windows and a vehicle at Vice President Vance’s Cincinnati estate while the family was away.
Incident Specifics and Suspect Detainment
At approximately 12:15 a.m. on Monday, Secret Service agents observed an individual, later identified as 26-year-old William DeFoor, running eastbound near the Vice President’s residence on William Howard Taft Drive [1]. The suspect is accused of using a hammer to smash four windows of the residence and damage a vehicle on the property [1][3]. While Vice President Vance and his family were not present—having departed Cincinnati the previous afternoon to return to Washington, D.C.—the breach of the property’s perimeter triggered an immediate coordination between federal agents and the Cincinnati Police Department [3][6]. The residence, located in the East Walnut Hills neighborhood, was purchased by Vance in 2018 for $1.4 million [6].
Suspect’s Legal History and Charges
DeFoor faces a litany of charges including criminal damaging, criminal trespass, obstructing official business, and a fifth-degree felony count of vandalism [1][3]. This arrest adds to a troubling legal history for the suspect; in April, DeFoor pleaded guilty to two counts of vandalism regarding a separate incident at a Hyde Park interior design firm where he caused over $2,000 in damages [1]. Following that conviction, he was sentenced to two years of treatment at a mental health facility and ordered to pay $5,550 in restitution [1]. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Hamilton County Municipal Court on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 [1].
Escalating Security Concerns for Public Officials
The vandalism at the Vice President’s home is not an isolated event but part of a statistically significant rise in threats against political figures in the United States. By the fall of 2025, security risks had escalated to the point where at least six Cabinet members, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, were residing in military housing for enhanced protection [2]. The past year alone has witnessed severe incidents, including the firebombing of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home in April, the shooting of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota in June, and the assassination of a figure identified as Kirk in September [2].
Official Response and Future Protocols
In a statement following the arrest, Vice President Vance characterized the suspect as a “crazy person” and expressed gratitude to the Secret Service and local police for their rapid response [3]. However, he also issued a critique of the media’s handling of the event, stating he was “skeptical of the news value of plastering images” of his home, citing a desire to protect his children from the harsh realities of public service [3]. The U.S. Secret Service confirmed it is coordinating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office as charging decisions are finalized, signaling a rigorous federal approach to ensuring the safety of executive branch assets [1][6].