LSU Police obtained a warrant Wednesday morning for the arrest of Isaac Eslava, a 23-year-old LSU student, for the removal and burning of the American flag and theft of the LSU flag from the War Memorial early Monday morning, according to a University news release.
After an LSU staff member alerted police, LSUPD found the subject nearby, but he eluded capture, the release said. Police recovered a stolen vehicle upon initial response to the crime and found the missing University flag inside in addition to drug paraphernalia, spray paint and clothing police say belong to the suspect.
The knife allegedly used in cutting down the flags was recovered in the car search with rope fibers on it, according to the release. Police were later able to connect the crime to graffiti vandalism at The Venue Apartments that also occurred Monday morning, the release said.
Police estimate the repair costs to the War Memorial to be more than $7,500 and the Venue graffiti repairs to total about $400.
Eslava has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Colombia and is believed to have fled to Atlanta, Ga., the release said. He’s described as 5 feet, 9 inches tall, about 180 pounds with long dark hair, according to the release.
Anyone with information that could assist in an arrest can contact LSU Police at 225-578-3231.
Baton Rouge City Police and the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab aided in the investigation, according to the release.
 
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Contact Brian Sibille at [email protected]