‘David Hearn told The Washington Post in an interview Saturday that he stopped at the Lincoln Memorial to see the reflecting pool after finishing a loop at Hains Point during a 52-mile bike ride.

Hearn explained he reached in to feel a piece of the liner that was detached from the bottom of the pool and was arrested just moments later by park police. He was charged with destruction of government property and is scheduled to appear in court July 9, according to the report.

“I didn’t vandalize anything,” the 67-year-old told the newspaper. “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”

A peeling section of blue coating is seen in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on June 20 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The arrest marks a visible escalation in security presence following President Donald Trump’s claims that the newly renovated pool has been targeted by vandalism….’ (Sam Stevenson via Yahoo News)