Santa Cruz Police looking for suspect wanted for vandalizing BLM mural after repainting
SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 AT 4:40 PM- Almost two months after the Black Lives Matter mural was vandalized in front of Santa Cruz City Hall there has been no arrest made, said police.
This is the second time the mural has been vandalized. It was repainted a month before being smeared with blue paint in late August of 2023.
Read more: Men who defaced BLM mural at Santa Cruz City Hall to help with repainting
"We understand that the community is anxiously waiting for an update. Chief Escalante said that SCPD is following up on leads and examining evidence. "Our detectives are working the case, and they know it's a priority."
Police said they have received many promising leads and are looking to resolve the case soon.
VIDEO: Santa Cruz Police looking for suspect wanted for vandalizing BLM mural in Santa Cruz
SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON AUGUST 3, 2023 AT 11:20 AM- Santa Cruz Police have now released video of a man wanted in relation to defacing the Black Lives Matter Mural that sits just outside of Santa Cruz City Hall on Saturday.
"You can see the suspect in this video walk into the road behind a white van and throw a can of blue paint onto part of the mural. When he returns into frame, we can see that he doesn't have the paint can," said police.
Detectives are looking for the man described as a white male adult, wearing a light blue shirt, khaki or white shorts, with a blue helmet, white slip-on sandals and a paper face mask covering his face.
Police say he arrived and left the scene on a "red Vespa." Police say they do not have a license plate at this point but the investigation is continuing.
This is being investigated as a felony vandalism case that could escalate to a hate crime said Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante.
Currently, police say they have "been reviewing all available video surveillance in the area trying to find the license plate of the red Vespa (or similar), as it is out of frame in these security cameras." They have also door knocked and talked with neighbors in the area, asking for a video.
"We will exhaust all potential leads and process all the evidence," said police.
You can call the tip line at (831)-420-5995.
Santa Cruz Police looking for suspect wanted for vandalizing BLM mural in Santa Cruz
UPDATE ON AUGUST 2, 2023 AT 2:40 PM- Santa Cruz Police said they are searching for an individual suspected of defacing the Black Lives Matter Mural that sits just outside of Santa Cruz City Hall on Saturday.
The individual in the photos is described as a white male adult, wearing a light blue shirt, khaki or white shorts, with a blue helmet, white slip-on sandals and a paper face mask covering his face.
Read more: Men who defaced BLM mural at Santa Cruz City Hall to help with repainting
Police say he arrived and left the scene on a "red Vespa." Police say they do not have a license plate at this point but the investigation is continuing.
This is being investigated as a felony vandalism case that could escalate to a hate crime said Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante.
"Our community is committed to a community that's safe for everyone," said Mayor Fredd Keeley. "Inclusive for a wide variety of points of view, and one that has zero tolerance for hate or discrimination for those acts which are acts of violence and intimidation against community members. We stand in unity as a voice of opposition to that and a voice in favor of inclusion and social justice."
This is the second time in the three years the mural has been vandalized.
Black Lives Mural vandalized again in Santa Cruz
UPDATE ON JULY 31, 2023 AT 7:21 PM- The Black Lives Matter Mural that sits just outside of Santa Cruz City Hall was vandalized for the second time in three years.
City of Santa Cruz public work crews cleaned up the blue paint that covered the letters A and C but community members were disappointed to hear what happened.
Thairie Ritchie says he found out what happened through a family member.
"Saw, originally, the police blocked off the street and saw public works as well as the fire department to try to clean the curb... the damage that was done," said Ritchie.
According to Santa Cruz Police, the incident happened on Saturday afternoon. Police gathered video surveillance around the area to try to find the person or people that did this.
“It appears that it was an intentional act, based off of some limited video surveillance footage we've been able to review,” said Santa Cruz Police Chief, Bernie Escalante.
The last time the mural was vandalized was back in 2021 when two people were caught “burning out” along the mural, leaving tread marks along a large portion of it.
Ritchie says he's not surprised the mural got defaced once again-- and thinks there needs to be unity.
“I think given the recent events of the mural being defaced a few summers ago, a few summers back, definitely not surprising and I think there's a sense of divisiveness towards the movement the last few years,” said Ritchie.
Escalante said this could lead to a misdemeanor or felony charge, depending on the amount of damage and the cost to clean up the paint.
Santa Cruz PD said the deface of the black lives mural could result in charges of a hate crime offense-- but they're still investigating.
If anyone has any information on this incident, you are asked to contact Santa Cruz Police.
Original Story
Police are investigating the vandalizing of the BLM mural in Santa Cruz for the second time.
Around 6 PM on Saturday, July 29th, Santa Cruz received a report of damage to the mural, which included blue paint covering the letters A and C.
The mural was just recently repainted in June after it was vandalized back in 2021. At the time, police arrested two suspects for "burning out" along the mural and causing tire tread marks to stretch along the mural's lettering. Both men were part of the repainting process.
Public Works is working to mitigate the damage and preserve the recently restored mural paint.
In a statement regarding the situation, Santa Cruz Police Chief Bernie Escalante said:
“We will not tolerate any actions aimed at undermining the fabric of our diverse community. We want to emphasize that Santa Cruz should be a safe space for all individuals, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation.”
Santa Cruz City Manager Matt Huffaker also talked on the matter saying:
“This is deeply disappointing and completely contradictory to the values the City holds dear.”
