Chicago man faces arson, hate crime charges after cross burning in Grant Park

A man has been charged in connection with a burning cross that was spotted in Grant Park last week. 

Merlin Lu, 21, of Chicago, was charged with felony counts of damage to property between $500 and $10,000, arson, and two felony counts of a hate crime. He also received four misdemeanor counts for disorderly conduct, reckless conduct, damage to property less than $500, and cross burning to intimidate.

Police say Lu was identified as the suspect who committed a hate crime by starting a fire that caused damage to city property in the 600 block of South  Columbus Drive on June 9.

Police last week released a surveillance image of a suspect who was spotted fleeing the scene of the burning cross.  

Lu is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Thursday.

No further information was released.