Crime & Safety

Arraignment Set for Chick-fil-A Vandalism Suspect

Hollywood artist Manny Campos faces misdemeanor charges of vandalism and possession of vandalism tools.

The man who admitted to painting a picture of a cow with the words "Tastes Like Hate" on the side of a Torrance Chick-fil-A will be arraigned Nov. 9, according to City News Service.

Manuel "Manny" Castro Jr., 30, is charged with one misdemeanor count each of vandalism and possession of vandalism tools in connection with the graffiti.

The image and text at the Chick-fil-A across the street from the Redondo Beach border were discovered in the early morning of Aug. 3. Officers who responded to the scene discovered a can of black spray paint left near the wall.

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In an interview with the Huffington Post later that day, Castro confessed to the graffiti. He told the Internet newspaper that he spray painted the wall on the side of the eatery at 18200 Hawthorne Blvd. because of remarks Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy made in July supporting "traditional marriage."

The Torrance City Attorney's Office decided to charge Castro with the misdemeanor crimes after the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office declined to file felony charges.

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It cost the restaurant's owner "approximately several hundred dollars" to have the affected portion of the wall painted over, according to the District Attorney's Office. Castro offered to pay for the cost of repainting thew all, according to the office.

—City News Service contributed to this report.

Previously:

  • 'Tastes Like Hate' Painted on Wall at Chick-fil-A
  • Chick-fil-A Vandalism Suspect Arrested
  • DA Declines to File Felony Charges in Chick-fil-A Vandalism Case (Updated)


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