Vandalism suspect arrested in connection to Denver City Park’s MLK Jr. memorial damage
The Denver Police Department arrested one suspect in connection to the vandalization of Denver City Park’s Martin Luther King Jr. memorial last month, according to a news release.
Robert Duran, 47, turned himself in to the Denver Police Department on Feb. 29, police said, for his alleged involvement in the theft of bronze artworks from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. monument in City Park, reported on Feb. 21.
As previously reported by the Denver Gazette a maintenance staff member from Denver Parks and Recreation discovered three pieces missing from the “I Have a Dream” monument located in City Park that Wednesday.
Additionally, seven bronze pieces were found to have been stolen from the Joseph Addison Thatcher Memorial fountain within the same park.
Subsequent investigations led the police to determine that the stolen pieces had been sold to a local business as scrap metal on the following Friday, Feb. 23. The large plaque taken from the “I Have a Dream” monument had been cut into smaller pieces. Authorities were unaware of the vandalism to the Thatcher Memorial fountain until the discovery of its missing bonze plaque.
Investigators believe that the motive behind the crime was financial gain rather than any form of bias. It was speculated that the stolen items were intended to be sold as scrap brass.
According to DPD, an investigation revealed that Robert Duran assisted with the damaging of one of the stolen metal pieces. Robert Duran was arrested for Investigation of Criminal Mischief ($20,000-$99,999). A final determination of charges will be made by the Denver District Attorney’s Office.
Denver police continue to search for the other suspect identified in the case, 67-year-old Herman Duran.
Those with information are urged to call Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867.
Denver Gazette Breaking News Reporter Sage Kelley contributed to this report