Police in Windsor, Ont. investigating SUV vandalism as hate crime

Police in Windsor, Ont. are investigating a reported hate crime stemming from an incidence of vandalism. 

An SUV parked at Parent Avenue and Assumption Street east of the city's downtown was vandalized with spray paint, displaying words and symbols that could be construed as a hate crime.

Police responded to the property damage call Tuesday. According to police, there was a large dent in the driver's side door, while the vehicle's door handles were glued shut, there were scratches down the sides of the vehicle and there were two flat tires, in addition to the spray paint. 

Photos of a vehicle with spray painted words and symbols have been circulating social media for the last 24 hours. Those photos show the word 'Arab' and a swastika-like symbol painted on a white SUV, as well as spray-painted lines down the opposite side of the vehicle. 

Windsor police did not confirm if the photos circulating social media were of the SUV referenced in their Wednesday media release.

Sgt. Steve Betteridge told CBC News that police didn't feel it would be helpful to release a photo at this time, and would not provide one for publication.

Betteridge recommended that anyone with information regarding "anyone doing property damage at that location to the vehicle described in that release" should speak with police.

Jacob Ciampaglia has lived in the neighbour for about a year and was shocked to see the vandalism.

"I know we have a lot immigrants on the street, so I went to a few houses to see who it was."

According to Ciampaglia, the vehicle owner said they had already put in a report, but nothing was happening.

"It didn't seem to be taken seriously," said Ciampaglia. "The only thing police seemed to care about was the swastika."

People in the neighbourhood are accustomed to drug use and fights, said Ciampaglia, but a hate crime is something new.

The case is under active investigation.