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Donald Trump’s Star Being Repaired; Suspect Is Named in Vandalism Donald Trump’s Star Being Repaired; Suspect Is Named in Vandalism
(35 minutes later)
The police have made an arrest in connection with the destruction of President Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week by a man with a pickax.The police have made an arrest in connection with the destruction of President Trump’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame this week by a man with a pickax.
A suspect, who has been identified as Austin Clay, 24, was arrested on Wednesday and released early Thursday morning, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s online records. He had been held on bail of $20,000 on a charge of felony vandalism, authorities said. A suspect, who has been identified as Austin Clay, 24, was arrested on Wednesday and released early Thursday morning, according to Los Angeles County Sheriff Department’s online records. He had been held on bail of $20,000 on a charge of felony vandalism, Officer Ray Brown, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Police Department said.
It is not clear who posted bail for Mr. Clay. James Otis, 54, who attempted to remove Mr. Trump’s star by smashing it with a pickax and sledgehammer in October 2016, said he had rushed to Mr. Clay’s aid but missed his mark — by the time he had arrived to help, Mr. Clay had already been released.It is not clear who posted bail for Mr. Clay. James Otis, 54, who attempted to remove Mr. Trump’s star by smashing it with a pickax and sledgehammer in October 2016, said he had rushed to Mr. Clay’s aid but missed his mark — by the time he had arrived to help, Mr. Clay had already been released.
The administrator of a GoFundMe page billed as raising money for the bail did not immediately respond to a request for comment.The administrator of a GoFundMe page billed as raising money for the bail did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Mr. Clay’s next court date will be Aug. 15.Mr. Clay’s next court date will be Aug. 15.
“He’s a young kid,” Mr. Otis said by phone. “I’m sure he was very angry about something Trump had done. I wanted to help him because I had been in his footsteps a few years earlier. He’s got a lot to deal with.”“He’s a young kid,” Mr. Otis said by phone. “I’m sure he was very angry about something Trump had done. I wanted to help him because I had been in his footsteps a few years earlier. He’s got a lot to deal with.”
Mr. Otis said he plans to help Mr. Clay find a lawyer or help out in any way that he can. Mr. Otis pleaded no contest to felony vandalism in February 2017. He agreed to pay $4,400 for the damage, and was sentenced to three years’ probation and 20 days of community service.Mr. Otis said he plans to help Mr. Clay find a lawyer or help out in any way that he can. Mr. Otis pleaded no contest to felony vandalism in February 2017. He agreed to pay $4,400 for the damage, and was sentenced to three years’ probation and 20 days of community service.
In this latest incident, authorities said they received a call around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and soon after found the pink terrazzo star, which Mr. Trump received in January 2007 for his NBC show “The Apprentice,” broken into pieces. In this latest incident, authorities said they received a call around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday and soon after found the pink terrazzo star, which Mr. Trump received in January 2007 for his NBC show “The Apprentice,” broken into pieces, Officer Brown said.
The police said the vandal had pulled a pickax out of a guitar case, smashed the star — in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard, near Highland Avenue — and then walked away, leaving the tool at the scene, according to NBC.The police said the vandal had pulled a pickax out of a guitar case, smashed the star — in the 6800 block of Hollywood Boulevard, near Highland Avenue — and then walked away, leaving the tool at the scene, according to NBC.
The destruction was caught on surveillance video, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which administers the Walk of Fame, said in a statement, and Mr. Clay later turned himself in to the police.The destruction was caught on surveillance video, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which administers the Walk of Fame, said in a statement, and Mr. Clay later turned himself in to the police.
The Hollywood Historic Trust said it would repair the star, and by midday on Wednesday, workers had already started pouring in new terrazzo-stone powder, that, once set, would be polished, according to the Atlantic.The Hollywood Historic Trust said it would repair the star, and by midday on Wednesday, workers had already started pouring in new terrazzo-stone powder, that, once set, would be polished, according to the Atlantic.
To get a star on the Walk of Fame, people must apply to the Chamber of Commerce, and demonstrate success or talent in the entertainment world. If selected, they pay $30,000, part of which goes to the Hollywood Historic Trust, and part of which covers the installation of the star.To get a star on the Walk of Fame, people must apply to the Chamber of Commerce, and demonstrate success or talent in the entertainment world. If selected, they pay $30,000, part of which goes to the Hollywood Historic Trust, and part of which covers the installation of the star.
Mr. Trump’s star has been defaced many times. In 2016, an artist built a six-inch “wall” around the symbol, with razor-wire and “Keep Out” signs. At other times, people have smeared ketchup on the star, painted it purple or decorated it with a Bernie Sanders bumper sticker.Mr. Trump’s star has been defaced many times. In 2016, an artist built a six-inch “wall” around the symbol, with razor-wire and “Keep Out” signs. At other times, people have smeared ketchup on the star, painted it purple or decorated it with a Bernie Sanders bumper sticker.
His is not the only star that has been vandalized in recent years. In December 2014, someone wrote “rapist” in marker three times on Bill Cosby’s star.His is not the only star that has been vandalized in recent years. In December 2014, someone wrote “rapist” in marker three times on Bill Cosby’s star.
In 2015, a petition sought to have the Chamber of Commerce remove Mr. Cosby’s star in light of allegations of sexual misconduct against him.In 2015, a petition sought to have the Chamber of Commerce remove Mr. Cosby’s star in light of allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
The chamber rejected the request, saying that the Walk is historically preserved. Despite protesters’ actions, a star has never been removed from the Walk of Fame.The chamber rejected the request, saying that the Walk is historically preserved. Despite protesters’ actions, a star has never been removed from the Walk of Fame.
“The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees,” said Leron Gubler, president and chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce.“The Hollywood Walk of Fame is an institution celebrating the positive contributions of the inductees,” said Leron Gubler, president and chief executive of the Chamber of Commerce.
“When people are unhappy with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California State landmark,” Mr. Gubler said of Wednesday’s incident.“When people are unhappy with one of our honorees, we would hope that they would project their anger in more positive ways than to vandalize a California State landmark,” Mr. Gubler said of Wednesday’s incident.