A State College man was arrested Monday in connection with a string of alleged hate-motivated acts targeting LGBTQ+ symbols and businesses downtown.
Markos Bejiga, 28, faces one felony count of causing or risking a catastrophe, one misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct and three summary counts of criminal mischief.
Bejiga is accused of lighting a Pride flag on fire at the Faith United Church of Christ; shouting homophobic slurs and damaging Pride decorations outside of Cafe 210 West and Chumley’s; and attempting to burn another flag by climbing a streetlight pole, according to a press release from the State College Police Department.
Bejiga was arrested and taken to the Centre County Correctional Facility for arraignment with a set bail of $10,000. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 11.
On Friday morning, Cafe 210 West owner JR Mangan shared security footage to Facebook that showed Bejiga ripping a Pride banner from the bar’s fence on West College Avenue.
Rev. Jes Kast, a pastor at Faith United Church of Christ, was among one of the Pride vandalism targets. In a recent Facebook post, she shared a photograph of the burned Pride flag displayed in front of the church on East College Avenue.
“I want you to know that we at Faith Church are aware of this and I have been in contact with our State College Police Department, Mayor Nanes and Borough Manager Tom Fontaine,” she wrote. “I am grateful to serve alongside my community leaders who always have had my back and stand alongside our church. Please do not cower in fear and please know your flags matter.”
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