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Public Safety

Man Arrested for Allegedly Vandalizing SDSU Campus With Antisemitic Imagery

A student walks on the San Diego State University campus Thursday, March 12, 2020, in San Diego.
Gregory Bull / AP Photo
A student walks on the San Diego State University campus Thursday, March 12, 2020, in San Diego.

A man who allegedly vandalized the San Diego State University campus with swastikas and other anti-semitic imagery was in custody Friday.

Tri Boomer Sov, 50, was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor vandalism in connection with graffiti found March 9 on a building at South Plaza Campus North in the 5100 block of College Avenue, according to the SDSU Police Department.

The building, which contains retail outlets and student housing, was vandalized with swastikas and "other anti-semitic phrases and symbols," prompting a university police investigation.

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SDSU police did not reveal how Sov, who is not an SDSU student, was identified as the suspect but said he was already in jail on an unrelated matter when he was arrested in connection with the campus vandalism.

County jail records indicate he was booked into custody on April 2.

SDSU police said the case has been turned over to the San Diego City Attorney's Office for review.

"We denounce acts of bias toward any of our community members," SDSU Police Captain Mike Hastings said. "We take all reports of criminal activity seriously and will continue to respond and investigate such matters with care."

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