Teen who defaced WWI monument shaved head to avoid getting arrested: police
NEW YORK (PIX11) – The 16-year-old boy arrested for vandalizing a World War I memorial by writing "Free Palestine" in Central Park was immediatley released by a family court judge on Friday, according to police sources.
The police informed PIX11 News that the teen had shaved his head to avoid getting arrested and was charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti on Friday morning.
Police tracked the suspect using facial recognition. Investigators also spoke to school safety agents, and the boy's face was not covered and could be seen in 'multiple' social media posts, police said.
When police arrived at his residence to arrest him, the teenager's father secured an attorney who facilitated his surrender. Although he was due in criminal court as a juvenile offender, his case was moved to family court due to his age. Police said he was released on his recognizance.
Police declined to comment more on the case, as other individuals associated with defacing the monument during a pro-Palestnian protest are still at large.
The teen's name has been withheld because he is a minor.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.