Hate crime spree hits Mercer Island
September 17, 2010 · 2:50 PM
The Mercer Island Police Department's Criminal Investigation unit is investigating a string of "felony level" malicious harassment/hate crimes that have taken place on Mercer Island over the last week.
The most recent incident occurred early Friday morning at the Northwest Yeshiva High School. The suspects, including at least three "older juvenile" boys, defaced the campus with swastikas and other anti-Semitic graffiti. The trio were caught on a school surveillance camera at about 1:45 a.m.
Similar graffiti was also reported this morning at St. Monica's Catholic Church, also located on Mercer Island. The building, as well as two cars parked nearby were also spray painted.
Police suspect these two incidents may be related to a third graffiti report received on September 14 from the Island Park Elementary School. Employees arrived to find graffiti that targeted, "Police as well as specific ethnic and religious groups," according to a police press release.
The Mercer Island Police Department urges anyone with information to call the tip line at 206-275-7955. More updates will be posted as they become available.
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