LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Authorities today announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information that helps track down a man they say vandalized a memorial display on an outside wall of the Los Angeles Police Department's headquarters in downtown Los Angeles.
The vandalism occurred about 5:30 p.m. on July 25, when a group of protesters entered the property and defaced the wall and a display case with red paint.
“The officers memorialized in these cases made the ultimate sacrifice for their city. Now, we need your help finding those responsible for defacing our tribute to their sacrifice,'' an LAPD statement reads.
The department released images of the damage, along with an image of the wanted man, described as white, 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet tall, 180 pounds with dark hair and eyeglasses. He wore a face covering, along with a black hoodie sweatshirt and black pants, and he carried a gray backpack.
Two separate demonstrations began that afternoon in front of Los Angeles City Hall, one organized by the group Refuse Fascism as part of an ongoing series of demonstrations against the Trump administration, the other by the Youth Liberation Front.
The YLF demonstration was part of a daylong action in more than 30 cities to support protesters in Portland, who have demonstrated daily since May 29 against police brutality and systemic racism, and have been in a standoff with federal troops since early July.
According to authorities, participants smashed windows and spray-painted slogans at the Metropolitan Detention Center and threw objects at officers during a federal courthouse confrontation. All LAPD personnel remained on duty past the end of their shifts as part of a citywide tactical alert, and many were sent to the downtown protest.
After leaving Los Angeles City Hall around 5:30 p.m., the crowd marched to the LAPD headquarters building at First and Main streets, where they shouted at the two front desk officers while someone spray-painted red “X''s on the exterior memorial display cases.
The investigation was being conducted by personnel from the multi-agency SAFE LA Task Force. Tipsters who provide credible information which leads to the arrest of the suspect may be eligible for a reward of up to $10,000.
More information is available at www.lapdonline.org/safelatips. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call 213-486-6840. Tipsters may also submit an online tip, video or pictures to SAFELATIPS@lapd.online.
Photo: LAPD