Three ISU students were arrested Tuesday for their alleged involvement in several criminal mischief and false fire alarm activation incidents, according to a news release from the ISU Department of Public Safety Police Division. 

The three students arrested were John P. Barry, freshman in pre-architecture, of of 6369 Larch Hall; Charles E. Cloud, freshman in pre-journalism and mass communication, of 6334 Larch Hall; and Evan T. Johannsen, freshman in pre-business, of 6334 Larch Hall.

According to the news release, the arrests were the result of an investigation into several reports that were received the week prior. All three men were charged with criminal mischief, a class D felony, and disorderly conduct, a simple misdemeanor. Johannsen faces one additional count of disorderly conduct.

Last week, ISU Police officers and the Ames Fire Department responded to a fire alarm at Larch Hall. Subsequent investigation determined a fire alarm pull station had been activated on the main floor of Larch Hall. Based upon the evidence compiled and reviewed, Barry, Cloud and Johannsen were believed to be responsible for pulling the fire alarm.

Johannsen was found to be responsible for causing another fire alarm by pulling the fire alarm station on the sixth floor of Larch Hall.

During that same evening, police officers responded to Friley Hall for a vandalism report. Two ISU vehicles had their rear windows broken out by the use of a steel handrail. Evidence obtained by police indicated the three students had removed the handrail located by an outside door and thrown it through both rear windows.

The cost to repair both vehicles and replace the handrail was more than $1,500.

All three students were transported to the Story County Justice Center.

A class D felony is punishable by confinement of not more than five years and a fine of $7,500.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.