A Florida teenager is facing felony criminal mischief and reckless driving charges in Palm Beach County after he allegedly damaged a crosswalk painted in bright rainbow “Pride” colors by performing a “burnout” over it in his pickup truck.
Dylan Brewer, 19, of Clearwater, is accused of damaging the LGBTQ mural in Delray Beach on the evening of Feb. 4, Local 10.com reported.
NEW: Florida man Dylan Brewer is arrested after "vandalizing" the street by doing burnouts on an LGBTQ flag mural in the middle of the road.
The 19-year-old drove his truck with a flag hanging out the back over the street on February 4.
Police are claiming that Brewer caused… pic.twitter.com/tJkmztu2IQ
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) February 13, 2024
Palm Beach County police said in a press release that the “reckless action caused significant damage to the streetscape painting, which serves as a symbol of unity and inclusivity for the LGBTQ community.”
The police launched a weeklong investigation that relied on tips from “concerned citizens,” according to the release.
“Law enforcement actively worked the case for more than a week,” police said. “We received multiple reports from concerned citizens who witnessed Brewer engaging in these destructive acts. Several witnesses provided smartphone video of the crime.”
Brewer turned himself in on Monday, and was charged with criminal mischief and reckless driving. In Florida, each charge can lead to up to a year in jail.
He was released from custody on Tuesday after posting a $5,250 bond.
Local10.com reports that this was not the first time the provocative gay pride crosswalk had been vandalized.
Another young man, Alexander Jerich, then 20, pleaded guilty to the same charges after cranking out a burnout in the intersection in 2021.
Jerich was sentenced to probation and community service.