Students accused of beheading a fiberglass giraffe

[November 04, 2010]  GRANDVILLE, Mich. (AP) -- Five current or former Calvin College students accused of beheading a fiberglass giraffe in west Michigan face up to five years in prison if convicted.

The Grand Rapids Press said 23-year-old Michael Ludema, 22-year-old David Kaemingk, and 21-year-olds Andrew Webster, Christopher Vanderzee and Jonathan Gelderloos were arraigned in Grandville District Court on charges of larceny over $1,000.

Police said the planned prank more than a year ago involved stealing the head of the animal that stood behind a billboard alongside westbound Interstate 96. They said the head was destined to be a dorm room mascot but apparently became too unwieldy.

The head was found inside a garage and later returned to the billboard owner.

The suspects could not be immediately reached by the Grand Rapids Press.

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Information from: The Grand Rapids Press, http://www.mlive.com/grand-rapids/

[Associated Press]

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