The University student suspected in the burning of the War Memorial American flag is now in police custody, according to the LSU Police Department.
Isaac Eslava turned himself in to LSUPD at 2:50 p.m. Thursday with help from his attorney, said Sgt. Blake Tabor, LSUPD spokesman. He was escorted to East Baton Rouge Parish Prison soon after.
Tabor said Eslava’s attorney cooperated with LSUPD throughout the week to return Eslava to Baton Rouge after he allegedly fled to Atlanta.
Eslava’s standing with the University is currently unknown, Tabor said, but the suspect has been reported to the Dean of Students and will soon face disciplinary action.
Eslava had no comments to the press when escorted from the LSUPD building.
Eslava is charged with allegedly cutting down and burning the American flag at the War Memorial and stealing the University flag early Monday morning. LSUPD attempted to take Eslava into custody upon initial response to the crime, but he evaded capture, according to a University news release.
LSUPD was notified of the crime at 5:15 a.m. by a Facility Services employee who encountered Eslava at the War Memorial, the release said.
A car supposedly used by Eslava was later discovered, and the University flag, drug paraphernalia and clothing allegedly belonging to Eslava were found inside, the release said. The knife supposedly used in the crime was later found with flagpole fibers still intact.
Graffiti spray-painted Monday at Venue Apartments on West State Street was later connected to Eslava, according to the release.
Estimated costs in damage total more than $7,500 at the War Memorial and about $400 at Venue Apartments, police say.
Tabor said Eslava will be charged with two felony counts of simple criminal damage to property, arson, theft, resisting an officer and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police said the Baton Rouge Police Department and Louisiana State Police assisted in the investigation.
Cpt. William Conger with the Department of Military Sciences said he found the charred flag at 5:45 a.m. Monday when he and three ROTC students were preparing for physical training. The ROTC students assumed responsibility of replacing the missing flags with a temporary set of colors, and a new flag was raised late Monday night after repairs.
News of a suspect did not emerge until Wednesday evening when LSUPD released a warrant for Eslava’s arrest.
The crime occurred only hours after President Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden at the hands of U.S. troops Sunday night, but Tabor said no motive for the flag burning has been determined.
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]