The Atlanta Police Department is pursuing hate crime charges for four suspects arrested for cutting up Pride flags outside Midtown bar Blake’s on the Park.
Police said two other suspects are being sought after fleeing the scene at Piedmont and 10th Street just before 2 a.m. on Tuesday.
Police identified three of the suspects as Logan Matthison, 18, Ahmed Mechkouri, 18, and Geami Maccarroll, 17 – all from Dallas, GA. A 16-year-old from Taylorsville, GA has also been charged.
All four have been charged with obstruction, criminal damage to property, conspiracy, and prowling. Police said hate crime charges are pending. Aaron Petrus, the father of the juvenile arrestee, was issued a citation by officers for failing to supervise his son.
If anyone has information on the other two suspects, APD encouraged the public to contact Crime Stoppers at (404) 577-8477 or e-mail the anonymous information using the online form at crimestoppersatlanta.org.
Witnesses said the suspects used knives to cut up the flags while others were doing donuts on scooters in the Rainbow Crosswalk. APD later released surveillance video from the intersection showing the suspects committing the crime.
“The Atlanta Police Department is committed to protecting all members of our community and upholding the values of respect, safety, and inclusion,” APD said in a statement on the arrests.
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