Three teenagers arrested for vandalizing rainbow Pride mural with e-scooters in Spokane

Three teenagers in Spokane, Washington, are facing up to ten years in jail for allegedly using e-scooters to vandalize a rainbow Pride mural in front of Riverfront Park. The incident, which involved skid marks being made on the mural, led to the arrest of nineteen-year-old Ruslan V. V. Turko and two minors on charges of first-degree malicious mischief. The vandalism occurred despite previous incidents reported by the Spokane Police Department, prompting measures by Lime, the e-scooter company, to prevent future acts of defacement.

Three teenagers in Spokane, Washington, face up to ten years in jail after allegedly vandalizing a rainbow Pride mural by making skid marks with e-scooters. The incident occurred in front of Riverfront Park. Nineteen-year-old Ruslan V. V. Turko and two minors were arrested on Wednesday on charges of first-degree malicious mischief.

Witnesses observed the teens intentionally driving their Lime electronic scooters over the mural to create skid marks. Confronted by bystanders, one of the minors reportedly responded with expletives. Following their arrest, Turko appeared in court, and prosecutors requested a $15,000 bond to cover repainting costs. He was released on the condition that he avoids the crosswalk and does not contact the other suspects.

The Spokane Police Department had previously reported incidents of vandalism to the mural, which had recently been repainted after being set on fire in May. Lime, the e-scooter company, condemned the acts and announced measures to prevent future vandalism, including establishing a no-ride zone around the mural.

In response to a spate of similar incidents, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed legislation in March redefining hate crimes to include property defacement, now punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The updated law took effect a day after the latest vandalism.