Police in Santa Ana are investigating a possible hate crime in connection with a homeowner’s Mexican flag being stolen, his fence spray painted, and an ominous note attached to a rock thrown in his yard, authorities confirmed to KTLA.
Officers with the Santa Ana Police Department responded to the most recent theft of the flag, which occurred on Dec. 3.
In surveillance footage of an earlier incident, on Oct. 21 just after 6:30 a.m., a man is seen on the homeowner’s property attempting to pull down the flagpole before changing tactics and lifting the pole up and out of its position.
The man is then seen carrying the pole, with the Mexican flag attached, to the homeowner’s closed gate, putting the flag on the other side and climbing out of the property.
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A homeowner in Santa Ana has been targeted for flying a Mexican flag in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. (Carlos Antunez) -
A homeowner in Santa Ana has been targeted for flying a Mexican flag in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. (Carlos Antunez) -
A homeowner in Santa Ana has been targeted for flying a Mexican flag in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. (Carlos Antunez) -
A homeowner in Santa Ana has been targeted for flying a Mexican flag in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. (Carlos Antunez) -
A homeowner in Santa Ana has been targeted for flying a Mexican flag in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. (Carlos Antunez) -
A homeowner in Santa Ana has been targeted for flying a Mexican flag in what police are investigating as a possible hate crime. (Carlos Antunez)
In addition to the homeowner’s fence being graffitied with the letters “USA” in white paint, police said he found a note attached to a rock in his yard that said in Spanish, “No mas Mexico flag, ultimate warning,” followed by a curse word.
Investigators are unsure at this point if both instances of the flag being stolen and the property damaged are related.
Authorities said they are working with the Orange County District Attorney’s Office to file the case once the suspect or suspects have been arrested.
No further details were provided.
