LAKE IN THE HILLS, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An Alsip man is charged with a hate crime for allegedly vandalizing a Lake-in-the-Hills café that created a firestorm when the owner announced plans for a family-friendly drag show.
Just after midnight, police said they were notified of criminal damage to property at the Uprising Bakery and Café.
An Algonquin Police Sergeant witnessed the suspect running away.
He and Lake-in-the Hills officers caught the man, who was identified as Joseph Collins, 24 of Alsip.
He’s charged with a hate crime and criminal damage to property.
Both are felonies. Police said the café had significant damage, including a broken window and what police describe as hateful messages spray-painted on the building.
The cafe owner cancelled the drag show.
“For the safety of the performers, staff, and community we have cancelled (the) event," she wrote in a Facebook post.
"We did not want to back down from Bullies but absolutely cannot in good conscience continue with (the) plans. It breaks our hearts."
Hundreds have offered their support for the café on social media-many saying the threats and vandalism should be considered hate crimes.
A GoFund Me page was started by a woman who identified herself as Megan Rose. Rose is openly gay and recently moved to the area.
"I mean, as a suburb gal, I was stoked knowing I could see a drag show and not have to go into the city," she wrote on the page.
"But that very same excitement quickly turned into sadness as I read that the UpRising had been vandalized with homophobic slurs and destruction of property."
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