5 suspects vandalized cars with racist messages, police say

Police are searching for five suspects who damaged several vehicles in a car sales lot back in June and spray painted derogatory remarks on them.

The suspects damaged 15 cars at Ashi Auto Sales on King Street East on June 28, police say. Three of those cars had racist messages towards Muslims written on them, said Det. Carmen Pietroniro.

While Pietroniro wouldn't say what the messages were, he did say, "It was pretty derogatory."

As for the total damages, Pietroniro couldn't give a dollar amount but said it was substantial.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to contact Hamilton Police Service Hate Crime Unit at 905-546-5678 or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.