Ironic MAGA Hat Prompts Bathroom Beating, Police Say

HERMOSA BEACH, CA — Police arrested a Winnetka man suspected of brutally beating another man in a Hermosa Beach bathroom for wearing an ironic MAGA hat written in Russian.

Police arrested David Delgado at his home in the San Fernando Valley Tuesday on suspicion of robbery and battery with serious injury. Hermosa Beach detectives believe he pummeled another man in a Hermosa Beach restaurant bathroom after learning the victim's red hat had "Make America Great Again" written in Russian.

The alleged attack happened around 6:40 p.m. on Sept. 2 when the victim was using the restroom, according to Hermosa Beach police detectives. According to Hermosa Beach Police Department Sgt. Robert Higgins, Delgado approached the man and asked the meaning of the Russian writing on the hat. Not liking the answer, he allegedly punched the victim repeatedly in the face, causing him to fall to the ground, Higgins said.

"The suspect continued to punch the victim and then stole the victim's hat and fled," according to Higgins.

Using surveillance video and other "investigative resources," HBPD investigators identified the suspect and arrested him at his home in the Winnetka area without further incident, Higgins said.

Details regarding the victim's injuries were not disclosed.

Delgado was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail, according to Hermosa Beach police and sheriff's inmate records.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.