In the early morning hours of March 18, an 11-foot-cross was set ablaze outside the window of a 19-year-old African American woman in Arroyo Grande, according to police reports.
The Arroyo Grande Police Department is investigating the cross burning as arson and a hate crime. Arroyo Grande Police Chief Steve Annibali said two FBI agents have been assigned to the case.
Police were called to the 100 block of South Elm Street in Arroyo Grande at 12:30 a.m. and found the burning remains of a cross in the lot next to the girl’s window.
Police said they discovered the burnt cross was the same cross that had been stolen from Saint John’s Lutheran Church sometime between Feb. 5 and March 5. Church members weren’t aware that the cross was stolen for about a month, police said.
In addition to the remains of the cross, Annibali said a shovel was recovered from the scene. Police patrols will be stepped up in the area, and the city of Arroyo Grande is offering a $2,500 reward for information about the incident. San Luis Obispo Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 award for information as well.
This article appears in Mar 24-31, 2011.