UC Berkeley arrested a 23-year-old graffiti suspect Saturday following a campus pursuit during which the man fell and cut his forehead, police said Monday.
Another suspect escaped, police said.
Pending charges against the arrested man, identified as Anthony Aaron Garcia, include commission of a hate crime because officers found "derogatory graffiti towards sexual orientation," according to UC police.
Here is Monday's police news release about the incident:
Vandalism And Hate Crime
UCPD crime report # 13-00139
On Saturday, January 12, 2013, at 10:33 p.m., UCPD received a report of two males in the process of spray painting graffiti at Li Ka Shing. Upon arrival a UCPD officer observed graffiti on the east side of Li Ka Shing. A witness told the officer that the people responsible for the vandalism had left the area walking south towards the Eucalyptus Grove. As the officer walked towards the Grove he noticed additional graffiti on Mulford Hall. The officer observed a male in a brown jacket spray painting a tree near Mulford. Suspect #1 took off running eastward along the south side of Mulford. At the same time a second individual stood up from behind a wall and tried to flee the scene south toward University Drive. Suspect #2 was apprehended by UCPD at University Drive near the west Crescent. During the pursuit suspect #2 fell and lacerated his forehead. Suspect #2 was taken into custody after receiving medical treatment. Suspect #1 was not apprehended. This crime is classified as a hate crime because while documenting the scene the officers noted derogatory graffiti towards sexual orientation.
The suspects are described as:
Suspect #1 – A Hispanic male, with a first name of “Chris”, 6’02 in height, 200 lbs., wearing a brown jacket, no further description at this time.
Suspect #2 – Anthony Aaron GARCIA, a Hispanic male, 23 years of age, 5’05” in height, 189 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes, wearing tan shorts and a black jacket.
If you have any information about this crime, please contact:
University of California Police Department
Criminal Investigation Bureau
(510) 642-0472 / 8AM-5PM
(510) 642-6760 / All other times
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