South Florida Sun Sentinel
Jun 17, 2021 6:41 PM
Thank you for supporting our journalism. This article is available exclusively for our subscribers, who help fund our work at the Sun Sentinel.
A Trump birthday reveler faces multiple charges in the vandalism of a Delray Beach intersection painted to recognize Pride Month, police said Thursday.
Alexander Jerich, 20, of Delray Beach, is charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, reckless driving and evidence of prejudice, which enhances the charge to a felony, police said. He turned himself in to police Thursday and was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.
The intersection at Northeast First Street and Northeast Second Avenue was painted in rainbow colors as part of an effort to celebrate Pride Month, an international recognition of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer people.
It was unveiled by the city on Saturday. On Monday, a set of skid marks defaced the brightly colored artwork. The marks appeared to have been intentional, the arrest report said.
Video of the incident posted on social media shows a pickup truck doing a tire burnout across the intersection as other drivers honk their horns.
The drivers were part of a birthday rally for former President Donald Trump, whose birthday was Monday. The route from Delray Marketplace on Lyons Road to Atlantic Avenue downtown was pre-planned, according to the arrest report.
“Alexander Michael Jerich perceived, knew, or had reasonable grounds to perceive or know, that the City of Delray is an ally to the LGBTQ community and the owner of the Pride Streetscape … and intentionally selected the City of Delray Beach’s Pride Streetscape because of that perception …” the arrest report says.
Breaking News Alerts Newsletter
As it happens
Get updates on the coronavirus pandemic and other news as it happens with our free breaking news email alerts.
The video shows a pickup truck with a blue “all aboard the Trump train” flag flying from the rear of the truck. An SUV driving in front of the truck also appears to have a Trump flag affixed to it.
Detectives used the video in their investigation, said Delray police spokesman Ted White. The person who took the video wanted to remain anonymous, the arrest report says.
“I was very happy to hear that an arrest was made,” said Claudia Harrison, a spokeswoman for Compass, a Palm Beach County-based community center for the LGBTQ community. “I was glad to hear Delray Beach Police was taking this seriously and that an arrest was made this quickly.”
Alexander Jerich, 20, of Delray Beach, is charged with criminal mischief over $1,000, reckless driving and evidence of prejudice after vandalizing a Delray Beach intersection painted to recognize Pride Month, police said Thursday. (Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office)
This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
Skid marks are shown on the brand new LGBTQ-inspired streetscape at NE 2nd Ave. and NE 1st Street in Delray Beach on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (Amy Beth Bennett / South Florida Sun Sentinel)
