The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department seeks the public’s help in finding the suspect responsible for spray-painting racist and homophobic graffiti on San Dieguito High School Academy walls in Encinitas early New Year’s Day, authorities announced Thursday, Jan. 6.

San Diego County Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the suspect, described by the Sheriff’s Department as a thin-built man, race unknown, wearing a red hooded sweatshirt, dark jeans and dark shoes.

Crime Stoppers and investigators from the North Coastal Sheriff’s Station in Encinitas circulated campus security video images of the suspect in their respective statements, which included additional details about the incident.

“The suspect proceeded to spray paint vulgar slurs on the administration building, causing nearly $725 in damage,” the Sheriff’s Department announcement stated. “The suspect fled the scene on foot towards Santa Fe Drive.”

Anyone with information about the suspect or case can call sheriff’s Detective Monica De La Torre Chavez at 760-966-3504 or Crime Stoppers’ anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477.

encinitas current, cardiff current