Suspect Identified In Pro-Palestine Vandalism At Ashburn Starbucks Locations

ASHBURN, VA — The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office has identified and charged a suspect in the ant-Israel, pro-Palestine vandalisms of Starbucks locations in Ashburn back in the spring.

Phillip Michael Igyarto, 30, of Alexandria, had been arrested last Saturday by Alexandria Police. He is being charged with felony counts of wearing a mask to conceal identity and two misdemeanor counts of destruction of property.

The vandalisms happened six times at four Starbucks locations in Ashburn — Ashbrook Marketplace Plaza, Broadlands Center Plaza, Pipeline Plaza, and One Loudoun — on May 3 and 21. Igyarto was charged in the vandalisms at Ashbrook on May 3 and One Loudoun on May 21. No other suspects have been identified.

According to the sheriff's office, the exteriors of the Starbucks had spray-painted messages with graphic words and symbols referring to the Israel-Hamas War. Starbucks employees later removed the graffiti.

The sheriff's office said the Ashbrook Starbucks location had the following messages on the exterior: "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"

The One Loudoun Starbucks had the following messages written on the exterior: "Death to Amerika" (sic), "Boycott Death to Capitalism Victory to Hamas," "Victory 2 Pale stine" (sic), "Free Gaza," "Sbux Loves Genocide," and "Boy cott Facism Free Gaza."

"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 in a statement. "These were shameful acts by someone who wore a mask to conceal his identity then elude law enforcement for months."

The sheriff's office says Igyarto faces more charges in Alexandria tied to a traffic stop there. Fairfax County Police had also arrested Igyarto last Wednesday 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.