Lake Forest man who vandalized an OC Filipino store arrested and charged with hate crime

Last year, on six separate occasions, a male suspect threw rocks through the windows of Pinoy Pam’s Best, a beloved local Filipino mom-and-pop store located in Lake Forest. These incidents caused thousands of dollars in damages and left the owners fearful of replacing their windows, only to have them broken again, according to the OC Sheriff.

OC Sheriff deputies and investigators dedicated numerous hours to following leads to identify the suspect. Finally, during a patrol check in the shopping center, Deputy Carillo (pictured) spotted a man matching the suspect’s description.

The suspect, a Lake Forest resident, was arrested and later pleaded guilty. He was convicted on six counts of felony vandalism with hate crime enhancements. He was sentenced to one year in jail and formal probation until 2026. Additionally, the suspect had a warrant out of county and will be extradited after serving his time in Orange County.

This case highlights our commitment to protecting our community and ensuring justice for victims of hate crimes. We appreciate the community’s support and cooperation.