Man Arrested After Spray Painting Columbus Statue On West Side

CHICAGO, IL -- A man has been charged with felony criminal damage to government property after reportedly spray-painting a Christopher Columbus statue in the Little Italy neighborhood. Police said he was one of three masked men who rode bikes to Arrigo Park around midnight Friday, and spray-painted the bronze monument with red paint. The men also shouted "Die Columbus" and other anti-American obscenities, while writing the words "F--- Columbus" and "All colonies are burning," on the statue, according to police.

When an off-duty police officer went up to the men, they rode off on their bikes. The officer said he was able to hold onto one of the men when he fell off his bike, but the others escaped. (For more local news, subscribe to free email news alerts and a daily newsletter for your hometown Patch.)

Kyle Miskell, 30, has been charged with felony criminal damage to government property and criminal defacement of property. Police said he was found with a can of red spray paint, rubber gloves, a ski mask, a bandana, and black socks over his sneakers.

Miskell appeared Sunday at the Leighton Criminal Court Building, and is being held on $3,ooo bail.

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