Donald Trump's Hollywood Walk of Fame star vandalized

Los Angeles police are investigating the vandalizing of Donald Trump's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Det. Meghan Aguilar says investigators were called to the scene before dawn Wednesday following reports that the u.s. presidential candidate's star was destroyed by blows from a pickaxe.

A man who identified himself as Jamie Otis says he's responsible for the damage. Otis tells Deadline Hollywood that he originally intended to remove Trump's star. He says he wanted to auction it off to raise funds for the 11 women accusing the presidential candidate of groping them. Trump has denied the groping allegations.

A video posted on Deadline's websiteappears to show the star being damagedby a man dressed as a city construction worker. A sledgehammer is seenleaning against a sign near the man as heswings a pickaxe, striking the plaque.

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Aguilarsays she's aware of the Deadline report but couldn't comment on whether Otis is a suspect.

Repairs underway

The group that oversees the Hollywood Walk of Fame says it's working to quickly repair the damage.

Hollywood Chamber of Commerce PresidentLeronGublersays it will take several days for the fixes to be completed.

It's not the first time Trump's monument on the populartourist boulevard has been the focus of political protest.

In July, a Los Angelesartist built a miniature border wall around the sidewalk plaque in a display of mockery. The 15-centimetre-tallstructurewas complete with barbed wire, "Keep out" signs, and American flags.

Trump's star was first dedicated in 2007 in recognition of his work on NBC's reality TV show The Apprentice.