(WWJ) -- A man accused of vandalism at a Rochester Hills mosque earlier this month has been arraigned.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office says 33-year-old Ryan Lee Ahern, of Rochester Hills, was arrested Friday at his home without incident. Ahern is accused of smashing a glass door at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Center.
The alleged vandalism happened sometime between 9 p.m. on Oct. 8 and 6:30 a.m. on Oct. 9, officials said. Officials with the center initially discovered the damaged door the morning of Oct. 9, and it was reported to have happened while children were inside the building after evening prayers.
Sheriff’s detectives believe the vandalism was a random act and not a hate crime. Members of the community center had initially wondered whether that may be the case.
Authorities believe Ahern used a hammer to smash the glass. He is also a person of interest in other acts of vandalism at nonreligious buildings in the area, the sheriff’s office said.
Related
“Anyone that damages property, we will vigorously investigate and hold accountable,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard said. “I commend our detectives on quick and good police work locating and arresting this individual.”
Ahern is free after posting $1,000 -- 10% of the $10,000 cash/surety bond set by 52nd District Court Magistrate Michael Bosnic. No new court date has been set.
Shortly after the damage was discovered, Imam Sham-shad Nasir said he and leaders were searching for answers as to why it happened. At the time, he told WWJ that if the suspect had issues with Islamic teachings, he wanted to have productive dialogue with him.
"You know, we don't hate anyone. Because our slogan is 'love for all, and hatred for none,'" he told WWJ. "We don't hate anyone and we want to show our love for humanity as a whole."
Related
