Police in suburban Elmhurst have opened a hate crime investigation after three swastikas were discovered spray-painted on a residence and vehicle, according to authorities.
In a Facebook post, the Elmhurst Police Department said at approximately 9 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a home in the 400 block of North Oak Street in reference to hate symbols that had been spray-painted on two garage doors and a vehicle parked in a residence's driveway.
Investigators learned three swastikas were spray-painted in red on the victim's property between 9:45 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday. Police say it remains unclear if the home was specifically targeted, adding the victims didn't see any prior suspicious activity.
The incident is being investigated as a hate crime, which is a felony under Illinois law. Nearby residents are advised to check home security video systems for suspicious people or vehicles that may have been recorded overnight, authorities stated.
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Anyone with potential leads or information about possible suspects is asked to call the Elmhurst Police Department at 630-530-3050.
