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 was hit with four misdemeanor counts of 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.