Following the early Tuesday morning vandalism of an LGBTQ+ pub in Santa Cruz’s downtown, police have detained a man on suspicion of committing a hate crime.
Officers were summoned to The Neighbor’s Pub, located at 711 Pacific Avenue, at around three in the morning. According to its website, the newly opened pub celebrated its ribbon cutting last week.
The owner found an obscene statement scratched into the front doors’ glass, according to the police. A portion of a wall was burnt, and burned debris was discovered close to the doorway, suggesting that the suspect had tried to set the area surrounding the front doors on fire.
MEDIA ACCESS
At around three in the morning on December 10, 2024, officers were sent to 711 Pacific Ave (The…
Officers claim that a camera within the pub recorded a brief clip of the event.
Police made the suspect’s surveillance photographs public on Friday morning. A few hours later, authorities declared that James Eason, 45, had been taken into custody in relation to the event. Eason was already being held at the county jail for an unrelated offense, according to the police.
After matching security camera footage from the incident with police body camera evidence from an unrelated arrest, authorities announced in an update Friday afternoon that they had connected Eason to the incident.
Eason will be rebooked for accusations of arson, hate crime, and vandalism, according to the police.
Detective Rock of the Santa Cruz Police Department can be reached at [email protected] if you may have seen the incident or know anything about the culprit. You can also phone the department’s tip line at 831-420-5995 to provide an anonymous tip.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.