Not a hate crime: Police say art vandal not motivated by anti-LBGTQ bias


The vandalized popsicle art work at Rachel Richardson Park. [Staff]

By Michael d’Oliveira | Editor

Wilton Manors – Shortly after the news spread that a vandal damaged two pieces of public art on May 21, commentators online presumed to know his motivations.

“Whoever did this needs to be charged with a hate crime,” wrote one Facebook user under images posted of the vandalism. Another commenter blamed Governor Ron DeSantis who has been heavily criticized by members of the LGBTQ community and their allies for a number of actions and bills they categorize as anti-LGBTQ.

The “Thunderbunny” damage caused by the vandal. [Staff]

“I’m going to withhold my narrative because I would sound like a potty mouth. But how disgustingly sad. It’s because our wonderful (sarcastic) g*Vernor has stirred the flames of hate,” wrote the Facebook user. Several other users echoed the call to charge the vandal with a hate crime.

But according to the Wilton Manors Police Department, after the suspect, Derek Modrok, 49, was arrested, he gave no indication he was motivated by hatred or bias against the LGBTQ community.

According to police, Modrok believes that Justin Flippen, who died in 2020 while serving as mayor, was responsible “for the birds we hear.” Modrok was charged with three counts of felony mischief, accused of driving his vehicle into the “Thunderbunny” statue at Justin Flippen Park at Wilton Drive and Northeast 21 Court. Modrok, say police, also confessed to removing Flippen’s name from the park’s sign and damaging the popsicle artwork at Rachel Richardson Park at Andrews Avenue and Northeast 21 Court.

He has since been released. Efforts to reach him for comment were unsuccessful.

Mike Sansevero, who has worked with the city to add more public art, seems determined to keep going, despite the vandalism.

“As a leading proponent of public art in Wilton Manors it sickens me to have to report that the Ice Pops sculpture at Andrews and 21st Ct appears to be the work of a sick vandal driving into it. We know this because Wilton Manors PD apprehended them ramming into Thunderbunny. So evil. Thank you WMPD for your quick work nabbing the creep. And people if you see something say something,” wrote Sansevero on Facebook. “We want to keep placing public art!”

Thunderbunny” in Justin Flippen Park. [Staff]

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