Police arrested a 32-year-old man this morning for allegedly vandalizing the Eureka Skate Park with gang-related graffiti that included white supremacist and white power symbols.
Shawn Anthony Miller, of Eureka, reportedly confessed to an officer on scene shortly after 1:15 a.m. that he'd committed the vandalism and was booked into the Humboldt County jail on suspicion of vandalism and 11 bench warrants. A female companion of his remains a suspect in the case but was released pending further investigation.
The graffiti was quickly removed by city staff.
The arresting officer contacted Miller after, while conducting a patrol check at Cooper Gulch, he'd observed Miller's vehicle in the parking lot and decided to inspect the skate park, finding the graffiti and a discarded spray paint bottle.
"This is an example of great, proactive police work by the officer," EPD Chief Steve Watson said in the press release. "Racism and hate have no place in our community and will not be tolerated."
See the full EPD press release
here.