Swastika painted on Monongahela garage in vandalism spree
Monongahela police Chief Brian Tempest discusses a rash of vandalism early Sunday in the city’s Mounds area.
A house at Indiana Street and First Avenue was vandalized early Sunday in Monongahela.
MONONGAHELA – A swastika was spray-painted on a Monongahela garage early Sunday, not far from where vandals also damaged eight cars and left behind a homophobic reference at a baseball field.
The cars were painted with straight lines, and it appeared as if the boys caught on video surveillance attempted to paint a second swastika on a door on Ann Street, Monongahela police Chief Brian Tempest said Monday.
“We’re hoping, believing that this act of vandalism was not a hate crime, but more random in nature,” Tempest said.
City police were called to the area about 10:45 a.m. after a resident reported damage to a car. Police were stopped en route to that residence by another person who complained about finding spray paint on a vehicle, Tempest said.
Police also discovered the name Christ spray-painted on the side of a house at Indiana Street and First Avenue.
A plaque at Mounds Park ball field was damaged with paint. A homophobic message was found on the back of a utility panel in the same area.
Tempest said video surveillance of the area showed five boys wearing dark clothing and hoodies walking through about 4 a.m. Sunday. Two or three of the people were holding what appeared to be cans of spray paint, he said.
The boys also were seen attempting to open car doors.
Anyone with information about the suspects is asked to call Monongahela police at 724-258-5555.