Community rebuilds Día de Los Muertos altar vandalized at Altadena restaurant

Community members in Altadena gathered on Sunday to help rebuild the Día de Los Muertos altar at El Patron restaurant after it was vandalized overnight, CBS News Los Angeles reported.

Maggie Cortez, owner of El Patron on Lake Avenue, discovered broken glass, damaged decorations, and debris outside the restaurant just hours after Halloween, one day before the Mexican holiday. Surveillance footage showed a man causing nearly three hours of destruction starting just after midnight.

Cortez expressed sadness over the incident, noting she had been in the community for 17 years without such an event occurring. She shared the videos and photos on social media, prompting locals to come out and offer support in cleaning and rebuilding the ofrenda.

Community members like Elena Miranda said they were upset by the vandalism and wanted to help. Police are currently searching for the individual seen in the surveillance video.

Cortez thanked the community for their solidarity, saying, "We're always together, no matter what happens," and referenced the city's unity since the Eaton Fire, emphasizing the motto "Altadena Strong."