London woman charged after 6 businesses vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti
The 39-year-old is charged with 6 counts of property damage
A London woman has been charged after six businesses were vandalized with anti-Semitic graffiti in London's downtown core on Tuesday.
London police said they received a call about a business on Carling Street that had graffiti, including anti-Semitic symbols on its storefront windows and doors, prompting police to launch an investigation.
Police learned two other businesses on Carling and three on Dundas Street had also been targeted with swastika symbols and other graffiti.
In a news release Thursday, police said after obtaining video surveillance of the area, they were able to "positively identify" a suspect.
Police say a 39-year-old woman was arrested Wednesday evening and has been charged with six counts of property damage under $5,000.
"We are disheartened to see these acts of property damage, particularly given the symbolism behind the hateful images," said London Police Chief Steve Williams.
"We would like to thank the community members who alerted us to the damage, and to those businesses who assisted in our investigation by providing video surveillance which helped identify the suspect," Williams said.
"To make it clear, the London Police Service does not condone acts of hatred or violence toward any individuals or groups in our community," Williams said.
The incident also prompted London's Mayor Ed Holder to condemn the act, pointing to International Holocaust Remembrance Day which was marked last week.
"The grotesque acts referenced below demonstrate why such occasions are as relevant as ever, including here in #LdnOnt," the mayor wrote on Twitter Tuesday night.