Turkish flags hung on San Fernando Valley Armenian schools in suspected hate crime; suspect sought

Tuesday, January 29, 2019
ENCINO, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Los Angeles police are searching for a suspect who targeted two Armenian schools by hanging Turkish flags on the campuses.

The incidents started around 4:40 a.m. Tuesday when a suspect jumped the front gate of Holy Martyrs Armenian church and school in the 5300 block of White Oak Avenue in Encino. The suspect zip-tied 12 flags throughout the campus and then fled the location.
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Surveillance video captured the suspect in action.

Surveillance video shows hate-crime suspect put up Turkish flags on Armenian schools


During the investigation into the first incident, authorities then learned of another that happened at A.G.B.U. Manoogian-Demirdjuan School in the 6800 block of Oakdale Avenue in Winnetka.

The suspect is described as a man between 5 feet 8 inches tall and 5 feet 11 inches tall. He was wearing an all-black outfit that consisted of a mask, hooded sweatshirt, pants and shoes.
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The incidents are being investigated as hate crimes.



Anyone with more information is urged to call authorities at (818) 374-7730. Those who wish to remain anonymous may call L.A. Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
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