Photo: Michael Garcia Lazo
June 4, 2020 – Ventura County – With protest demonstrations springing up nationwide, individuals expressing their social outrage by vandalizing public property occasionally find themselves coming up against understandably intolerant law enforcement.
That may have been a factor in the arrest of 24-year-old Port Hueneme resident Michael Garcia Lazo, accused of vandalizing the Port Hueneme Historical Society Museum in the early morning hours of June 3rd. According to the Port Hueneme Watch Commander, a report of “someone smashing windows” at that location brought cops to the scene at approximately 2:30 a.m.
Lazo was spotted standing “near trash cans” burning behind the museum, and when officers attempted contact with him, he fled on foot. Moments later, he “suddenly turned around and ran toward them.” Failing to respond to verbal commands to halt, Lazo reached into his pockets and was summarily taken down by the impact of a police stun gun.
Upon his arrest, Lazo indicated that “he was protesting” by lighting trash cans ablaze. He was transported to Ventura County Jail, where he was booked on charges of felony vandalism, arson, and resisting arrest. He remains in custody with his bail set at $40,000.
Photo: Courtesy Ventura County Jail Booking
