A Slidell man was arrested Monday morning after police identified him as the suspect in a viral video showing a man knocking over a pelican statue and damaging it.
Police say the video was posted by the victim to Facebook where it went viral and helped the department in identifying the suspect. According to Police, 33-year-old Steven Mortrud allegedly knocked over the painted pelican sculpture intentionally on Sunday morning causing it to break.
After knocking the pelican off its pedestal, police say Mortrud left the scene. Mortrud allegedly returned to the scene on Monday where police say he assessed the damage and then began kicking the head of the sculpture down the sidewalk.
The sculptures, which are three-dimensional, are displayed across Slidell in front of businesses.
The entire incident was captured on video surveillance.
On Monday, Mortrud turned himself in to Slidell Police and was booked on a charge of Simple Criminal Damage over $500. Mortrud was booked into the Slidell City Jail and will be later transported to the St. Tammany Parish Jail.
