Two men face felony charges in connection with “Black Lives Matter” mural vandalism

Santa Cruz police arrested two men in connection with the vandalism of a downtown “Black Lives Matter” street mural Friday night. After obtaining video of the crime, detectives say the pair took turns driving a vehicle along the painted mural and intentionally “burning out.”

Tire tread marks can be seen along the length of the mural on the 800 block of Center Street.

Brandon Bochat, 20, of Santa Cruz, and Hagan Warner, 19, of Boulder Creek were arrested Saturday and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on charges felony vandalism and conspiracy to commit a felony.

According to current jail records, neither men are still in custody.