SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS RADIO) – A San Leandro man suspected of vandalizing a neighbor's home with anti-Asian graffiti has been arrested.
For more, stream KCBS Radio now.
Nicholas Swyers, 25, was arrested Monday for hate crimes at a home in the 15300 block of Inverness, the San Leandro Police Department reported in a news release.
On Saturday, officers responded to the neighborhood after receiving reports of a vandalized realtor sign spray painted with racist messages. They returned the next morning to find another anti-Asian graffiti message using the same abusive term spray painted on a garage door.
"Since the realtor, property owners, and most recent tenants of the residence are all of Asian descent, this crime was investigated as a targeted hate crime," the department wrote in the release.
Swyers was taken into custody the following day in connection with the racist messages after officers established probable cause. During a search warrant, officers found further evidence linking Swyers to the crime, police said.
"This is an unfortunate reminder that hate and racism do exist. But, this is also a reminder that the San Leandro Police Department will unequivocally not stand for this behavior and dedicate the necessary resources to bring these perpetrators to justice," Lieutenant Matthew Barajas said.
Swyers lives on the same block as the home that was targeted, which is in the process of being sold.
DOWNLOAD the Audacy App
SIGN UP and follow KCBS Radio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Related
