Middle River Home Vandalized With Religious And Gay Slurs
MIDDLE RIVER, Md. (WJZ) -- A home in Middle River is the latest eye sore of the neighborhood after religious and gay slurs are spray painted all over the home.
Rochelle Ritchie has more on the homeowner who is now offering a cash reward for tips leading to the vandals.
The homeowner said he is willing to pay $5000 to see those responsible pay fully.
Slashed tires, religious slurs and gay insults are spray painted all over a home in Middle River.
The neighborhood is not used to seeing a police presence.
"We've lived here 25 years, and that's the first time we've seen anything like that," said one resident.
Joe, the man who lives in the vandalized home, only wanted to use his first name, but he does want those responsible to know he is taking this seriously.
"This is your home. This is a nice neighborhood. I've never seen anything like this. It really hits home," he said.
Joe said a knock on the door from a neighbor alerted him to the new paint job on his home.
As he stepped from his front porch, he couldn't believe his eyes.
The vandals spray painted male genitals on the windows and sides of his home. They also painted gay and religious slurs.
"I was shocked, just sick to my stomach," said Joe, "I have no enemies. I don't know if it's something kids did, but there were no other houses vandalized besides this one."
Joe said he is not gay. In fact he has a girlfriend, who is Jewish.
Neighbors said even if you're not gay or Jewish, seeing something like this is hurtful.
"It just kind of makes you feel empty inside when you see it done to one of your neighbors," said one woman.
Baltimore County Police are investigating.
Joe said he plans to do whatever he can to get the vandals off the streets, even if it means digging into his own pockets.
"I'd like to offer a $5000 reward that leads to an arrest," he said.
The homeowner says he plans to install a camera around his home.
