LOS ANGLES, CA — Investigators say a man broke into Los Angeles City Hall on New Year’s Day and caused extensive damage to both the interior and exterior, resulting in his being charged with felony vandalism, the Los Angeles Police Department announced in a Twitter post.
Officers from the department’s Security Services Division responded to reports of vandalism at City Hall around 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, and found the suspect gained entry through the 1st Street entrance by breaking a locked glass door, then made his way to the 3rd floor, where multiple areas, including hallways and the rotunda, were vandalized, according to the department’s news release.
The suspect, who was identified as Jose Gonzalez Chavez, then left the building and was taken into custody without incident, and he was booked for felony vandalism, police said.
Detectives with the department’s Central Division will present the case to the LA County District Attorney’s office for filing consideration, according to the release.
It was not immediately clear if Chavez has legal representation.
In a statement released Saturday, Mayor Karen Bass said there was damage to windows, a glass display case, computer equipment, and the Katowicz menorah, which was on display in the 3rd-floor rotunda of the building, KTLA reported.
There is no indication that the damage to the menorah was a hate crime, Bass said, but she described the incident as “deeply disturbing” due to the menorah’s historic significance, and personally contacted the Cunin family, who loan the menorah to the city each year, according to the outlet.
The suspect is being evaluated for mental health concerns, and a full review of security measures at City Hall is already underway, according to the outlet.
Anyone with information can call LAPD Central Division detectives at 213-833-3750. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS, online, or by downloading the app, “P3 Tips.”