Loudoun County, VA (November 4, 2024): The Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) has charged a suspect in connection with the vandalism of two Starbucks locations in Ashburn last May.
Phillip Michael Igyarto, 30, of Alexandria, was arrested on November 2, 2024, by the Alexandria Police Department (APD). Igyarto was wanted on two Felony counts of Wearing a Mask to Conceal Identity and two Misdemeanor counts of Destruction of Property by the LCSO. Additionally, Igyarto faces local charges from the APD resulting from the traffic stop.
The LCSO began an intensive investigation after pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, and anti-American graffiti was discovered six times at four Starbucks locations in Ashburn on May 3 and May 21, 2024. The exteriors of the Starbucks were spray-painted with graphic words and symbols that were reported and later removed by store employees.
The Starbucks affected were in the Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Broadlands Center Plaza, Pipeline Plaza, and One Loudoun shopping centers, and Igyarto was charged as the suspect for the incidents at Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza on May 3 and at One Loudoun on May 21.
The Starbucks at Ashbrook Marketplace had the following written on the outside of the business: “FROM THE RIVER 2 THE SEA”, “ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HISTORY”, “FREE PALESTINE”, “VICTORY TO HAMAS”, “VICTORY TO THE RESISTANCE”, and “STARBUKS LOVES GENOCIDE” (sic).
The Starbucks located at One Loudoun had the following written on the outside of the business: “DEATH TO AMERIKA” (sic), “BOYCOTT DEATH TO CAPITALISM VICTORY TO HAMAS”, “VICTORY 2 PALE STINE” (sic), “FREE GAZA”, “SBUX LOVES GENO CIDE” (sic), and “BOY COTT FASCISM FREE GAZA” (sic).
“In May, I called out these hateful actions and said there was no place for them in Loudoun County, and I repeat that call today,” said Sheriff Mike Chapman. “These were shameful acts by someone who wore a mask to conceal his identity then elude law enforcement for months.”
Sheriff Chapman credited the diligence of LCSO’s investigators along with the support from its federal partners, as well as the Fairfax County Police Department and Alexandria Police Department once the suspect was identified. While assisting the LCSO, Fairfax County arrested Igyarto on October 30, 2024, and charged him with Possession of Schedule I/II, Possession of Gun with Schedule I/II Drug, and False Statement on Criminal History Consent form.
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