Police in Santa Cruz have arrested a man on suspicion of a hate crime after an LGBTQ+ bar was vandalized in the city’s center early Tuesday morning.
Around 3 a.m., officers were called to The Neighbor’s Pub at 711 Pacific Avenue. According to the website, the ribbon was cut at the newly opened pub last week.
Police said the owner discovered an offensive message etched into the glass of the front door. Burned material was also found near the doorway and part of a wall was scorched, indicating the suspect had attempted to set fire to the area around the front doors.
Officers say a camera in the pub captured a small part of the incident.
On Friday morning, police released surveillance photos of the suspect. Hours later, police announced they had arrested 45-year-old James Eason in connection with the incident. Police said Eason was already in custody at the county jail for an unrelated crime.
In an update Friday afternoon, police said they linked Eason to the incident after comparing police body camera footage from an unrelated arrest with security camera footage of the incident.
Police said Eason would be rebooked on charges of vandalism, hate crime and arson.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who has information about the suspect is asked to contact Detective Rock of the Santa Cruz Police Department at erock@santacruzca.gov. Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling the department’s tip line at 831-420-5995.
