Police investigate vandalism at 2 Sylvania homes

11/6/2007

Authorities said they are continuing to investigate vandalism at two houses - one in the city of Sylvania and another in Sylvania Township - where obscenities were spray-painted on driveways, a mailbox, and a garage door.

The vandalism at a house in the 6000 block of Winterhaven Drive in Sylvania Township, which occurred sometime after 9:30 p.m. Saturday, is being considered a hate crime, township police Chief Robert Metzger, Jr., said.

The word "Jew" was spray-painted in blue on one side of the mailbox and a profanity on the other. It has been cleaned off.

Several swastikas, the word "Nazi," and male genitalia were spray-painted in blue on the driveway and were visible yesterday.

The family declined comment.

Chief Metzger said several properties in the township have been vandalized with spray paint in the last few months, but said the other incidents didn't seem to have a racial, ethnic, or religious motivation.

The fact that swastikas were painted "makes it a little different," the chief said.

A house less than four miles away in the 6700 block of Denbridge Road in the city of Sylvania was reported vandalized sometime between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning, authorities said.

Male genitalia were spray-painted with blue and green paint on the driveway and also on the family's white garage door, authorities said.

The family could not be reached for comment last night.

Sylvania police Sgt. Ervin Bratt said the vandalism is not being considered a hate crime.

"It looks like kids going out and being stupid," he said.

In September, swastikas and "white power" slogans were spray-painted on the property of an Islamic high school in Sylvania.

Six windows of the Toledo Islamic Academy High School, 5242 McGregor Lane, were painted with red swastikas, and two windows were shot with what authorities believe was a BB gun.

Swastikas also were spray-painted on the school's entrance doors and on eight trees on the northeast side of the school.

The words "white power" were painted on the side of a truck in the school's parking lot along with several green swastikas, authorities said.

Authorities said they have not arrested anyone in connection with that incident.