Police: Woman seeking arrest to escape cold smashes window

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Authorities in Virginia say a woman who threw a piece of concrete through a window at the General Assembly Building was apparently trying to get arrested so she could escape the cold.

Local news outlets report Capitol Police say the unidentified woman smashed the window Thursday night during a legislative committee meeting.

Capt. Randy Howard of the Capitol Police says it appears it was an attempt for her to get arrested so she would have a place to stay on the cold night.

No one was injured.

Howard says prior to the incident, an investigation found the woman had just punched a Virginia Commonwealth University student. The student wasn't seriously injured.

The woman was arrested. She is charged with simple assault and vandalism. It isn't clear if she has an attorney.