By Jim Clark

A police officer on duty in the early morning hours of April 6 at a Summer St. location took notice of a crashing noise in the nearby area.

In checking out the immediate vicinity, the officer spotted two males, later identified as Conor McArdle, 20, of Amherst, and Edmond Quirke, 22, of Jamaica Plain, as they travelled down the Summer St. sidewalk, reportedly kicking cars as they passed them.

Seeking the source of the loud crash heard earlier, the officer located a City of Somerville fire box that had been knocked to the ground on a nearby side street.

Catching up with Quirke and McArdle, the officer had little opportunity to confront them before they told him that they were stupid and that they would pay for the damages, according to reports.

The officer asked the men why they were kicking cars, and again they responded that they were acting stupid and they would pay the damages, police said.

The officer reportedly advised the men that this would not be likely, since the damaged fire box was an extremely expensive equipment and that it had sustained significant damage.

Quirke and McArdle continued to insist that they would pay whatever price was necessary, and that they were in fear of being kicked out of the country, police said.

The owners of two cars that were kicked were notified and questioned about any damage to their vehicles, and both reportedly told police that the driver’s side mirrors had been smashed.

Both Quirke and McArdle were placed under arrest and charged with destruction of property over $250 and disorderly conduct.