49-year-old man arrested for allegedly vandalizing Black Lives Matter Mural in 2023
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (KION-TV)- UPDATE ON FEB. 27, 2024 AT 11:12 AM-
People had mixed emotions when they heard about the arrest of the Black Lives Matter mural vandalism incident.
"It's a little bit bittersweet," said Thairie Ritchie, Community Activist, "In a way, I feel, personally about the arrest because I'm glad that the arrest was made, the suspect was brought in, but at the same time, I am disappointed it took so long."
Santa Cruz Police said the investigation took long to complete because they had to search through Blum's belongings.
"We searched a number of electronic devices that were discovered during a search warrant of his residence," Santa Cruz Police Chief, Bernie Escalante, "To go through all of the information, everything in. his background."
Investigators said they had surveillance video that helped them identify the suspect. They also said they served multiple search warrants, interviewed witnesses, and conducted forensic examinations, investigators said they were able to get enough evidence to make an arrest.
Santa Cruz Police Chief said they worked with the D.A.'s office to investigate the motive, and at this time they said, no evidence supports it being a hate crime. Police said in order to meet the elements of a hate crime, there has to be specific evidence.
"Around bias, prejudice, hatred towards people of color," said Santa Cruz Police Chief, Escalante. "Through the extensive investigation there was no evidence that was uncovered off his thoughts towards people of color."
Police said Blum acted alone, and to their knowledge it's the first mural he's vandalized. As for Ritchie, a community activist, he said he hopes more needs to be done regarding the Black Lives Matter movement
"Being that it is BLM month and into to Juneteenth this year," said Ritchie, "I think this falls on our elected officials, given that it is election year, trying to reach out to back voters, black individuals in the county, in the city that this type of issue shouldn't no longer continue."
On Tuesday morning, Santa Cruz Police announced that they arrested a 49-year-old man who is accused of vandalizing the Black Lives Matter Mural in July 2023.
Investigators said 49-year-old Taj Blum turned himself in and was arrested. He is charged with felony vandalism. Blum was taken into custody without incident.
The incident happened on July 29, 2023 when officers responded to an act of vandalism at the Black Lives Matter Mural right next to City Hall.
Officers located blue paint splattered across the mural and got surveillance photos of the incident.
Santa Cruz Police said that they worked with the Santa Cruz County District Attorney's Office to investigate the motive in this case.
Officers said that no evidence supports this being a hate crime.
This story will continue to be updated
Santa Cruz Police making progress in the vandalized Black Lives Matter mural investigation
SANTA CRUZ, CALIF. (KION-TV)- Progress is being made in the investigation of the vandalized BLM mural in Santa Cruz.
Santa Cruz Police tell KION they're just waiting on a few things before they make their next, and possibly final steps, in the investigation.
On July 29th, police responded to reports of a person throwing a gallon of paint across the mural in front of city hall. That's when they started their investigation to see if the act was intentional or accidental.
Police gave an update in early August showing the suspect and giving a description. Since that time, police say they may be getting closer to solving the case according to Santa Cruz Deputy Chief Jon Bush.
“We have identified a potential suspect,” Bush said. “But in order to be confident when we do make an arrest, we're still waiting for some forensic evidence to come back. We've got to make sure that if we, you know, if and when we do make an arrest, we have a solid case to present it to the District Attorney's Office. So we have some good evidence at the moment. We have a good lead.”
Bush also gave credit to the community for their help.
He says since the last update was posted on their socials, the community's response was beneficial in finding the potential suspect and narrowing down their search.
Police also want the community to know they've been proactive in protecting the mural and finding a suspect for when situations like this happen.
No time has been given yet on when repainting the mural will start.
