California Man Arrested For Burning Church's Rainbow Flag

CONCORD, Calif. (AP) - Authorities say an East Bay man has been arrested on suspicion of a hate crime for burning a rainbow flag at a church.

KNTV reports Thursday that the crime occurred at the Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church and is part of recent vandalism surrounding the flag.

Parishioner Dale Scovill says the flag has been taken down - by someone - eight times in the past six months, including three times this week.

On Tuesday, the flag was taken down and burned. Police later arrested Concord resident John James Hurst on suspicion of a hate crime, two counts of arson, petty theft, and vandalism.

Pastor Barbara Barkley says a note written in Spanish and left nearby said "all evil will be eradicated." It was not immediately known if Hurst has an attorney.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press.