Niagara Regional Police are investigating a hate-motivated act of mischief after a car was deliberately damaged on a St. Catharines street on Halloween night.
According to the Niagara Regional Police Service, uniform officers from 1 District, which covers St. Catharines and Thorold, began investigating Saturday, Oct. 31, after a vehicle was intentionally damaged on Oakdale Avenue.
The vehicle, a 2011 grey Volkswagen Passat, had multiple windows broken, and hate symbols had been spray-painted on its sides, police said.
The car has been seized so the service's Forensic Services Unit can examine it.
Niagara Regional Police said investigators are also aware of a social media post circulating about the incident, and that the post is being reviewed as part of the investigation.
The 1 District Criminal Investigations Bureau has taken charge of the case and is treating the incident as a hate-motivated crime. The police service's Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit has been notified and will be working with the victim.
No suspect information was released, and police have not said whether any arrests have been made.
Investigators are asking anyone with information about the vandalism to contact the Niagara Regional Police Service at 905-688-4111, option 3, extension 1009728.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously by calling 289-248-1058.
