Police Charge 2 With Damaging Penn State's Nittany Lion Shrine

Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Police have charged two people with breaking the ear off a statue of the Pennsylvania State University mascot.

Authorities say a 19-year-old from Connecticut and an 18-year-old from North Carolina are facing charges of criminal mischief and tampering with evidence in connection with the damage caused to the Nittany Lion Shrine.

The ear on the right side of the statue was broken off and found nearby Feb. 24. The incident happened during the weekend's State Patty's Day celebrations, an unofficial campus holiday that has lead to several alcohol-related arrests in the past.

The university's Office of Physical Plant has since fixed the ear.

Both suspects are facing up to $500 in fines and are scheduled to appear in court April 17.

(Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)