Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced that Matthew Daniel Rakowski, 18, of Simi Valley, has been charged with one count of felony vandalism and one misdemeanor count of a hate crime. Rakowski was also charged with the special allegation that the crime was committed in concert with another. He is the second suspect charged in this incident. Johann Bernhardt Patrick 18, of Thousand Oaks, was charged and arraigned for the same charges on October 17, 2024.
On October 14, 2024, Thousand Oaks Patrol Deputies responded to a report of graffiti vandalism where explicit antisemitic and white power hate speech and symbols were tagged on the side of a commercial building. Two suspects were captured on video surveillance.
Detectives were able to identify the suspects and their vehicle. Patrick was arrested in Thousand Oaks on October 15, 2024, and a search of his residence revealed additional evidence. Rakowski was arrested on October 16, 2024, in Simi Valley.
Deputy District Attorney Hayley Moyer, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Gangs Unit, is prosecuting the case.