April 4, 2023 - Merced County Sheriff's Office officials reported that on Sunday afternoon, Deputies responded to the front of the Courthouse Museum for a report of arson.
A Merced Police Department officer had a suspect detained, who was caught in the act of setting this monument on fire. Deputy Ochoa determined the suspect, identified as Bennie Frank Tusing, placed some shirts on top of the monument and lit them on fire. Unfortunately, this resulted in damage. Tusing was arrested and booked into the Merced County Jail. Thank you to Merced Police Department for their assistance on this investigation!
Source & photo: Merced County Sheriff's Office