Concord

East Bay Man Accused of Burning Rainbow Pride Flag at Church

A 22-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the vandalism of a rainbow-colored flag that flies outside a Clayton church, police said today.

John Hurst, a 22-year-old Concord resident, was arrested on Tuesday at 9:20 p.m. on suspicion of committing a hate crime and arson for burning the flag at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church at 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton police Chief Chris Wenzel said.

The flag was vandalized earlier that evening, Wenzel said. A witness described the suspect and Hurst was arrested just down the street from the church.

Wenzel said there have been multiple thefts of the flag in the past and another prior arson incident.

Detectives are investigating whether Hurst has alleged connections to those incidents as well.

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