MEDIA RELEASE
LSU POLICE DEPARTMENT
Arrest Announcement
LSU Student Wanted for War Memorial Damages, Other Crimes
May 4, 2011
On May 4, 2011, LSU Police obtained an arrest warrant for Isaac Eslava, a 23 year old LSU student of
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for violating LRS 14:56 SIMPLE CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO PROPERTY (2 felony
counts), LRS 14:52 ARSON, LRS 14:67 THEFT, LRS 14:108.1 RESISTING AN OFFICER and LRS
40:1023.C POSSESSION OF DRUG PARAPHERNALIA.
During the early morning hours of May 2, 2011, the LSU War Memorial was damaged. The flag mast rope
was cut-down, the United States (US) flag set afire and the LSU flag stolen. An LSU staff member alerted
LSU Police who responded to the area and located the suspect nearby who escaped capture.
During this initial response police recovered a stolen vehicle which was used by the suspect. The LSU
flag was recovered from inside of the vehicle along with drug paraphernalia, a clothing item belonging to
the suspect, and red and black spray paint.
LSU Police Detectives later identified the suspect and recovered the knife suspected to have been used to
cut the rope which still had flag mast rope fibers along the blade. Detectives also learned that on the
same morning The Venue Apartments located north of campus were vandalized by graffiti using red and
black spray paint and were able to connect the suspect to the crime.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Eslava for the aforementioned crimes this morning. The repair
costs to the LSU War Memorial are estimated at $7530. and repair costs at The Venue Apartments is
estimated at $400.
Eslava holds dual citizenship for the US and Colombia and is believed to have fled to Atlanta, Georgia.
Eslava is described as a light complicated male, 5’ 9”, 180 lbs. with long black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information that will aid in his arrest is urged to contact LSU Police at 225-578-3231.
LSU Police would like to thank Baton Rouge City Police and the Louisiana State Police Crime Lab for their
assistance in the investigation.
For more information please contact: