Swastikas Spray-Painted On Cars At Random In Methuen
METHUEN (CBS) -- Cars and property were spray-painted with swastikas and crude language in Methuen overnight.
Methuen Police shared several images of the vandalism with WBZ-TV.
They said cars on Temple Drive, Bridle Path, and Deborah Avenue were vandalized with racial graffiti--as were a fence on Sevoian Drive and a property sign at the intersection of West and Varnai Streets.
"The symbols were a symbol of hatred but it does not appear that there is any affiliation of the victims with any specific group, ideology, or religion. It appears they were picked at random," Police Lt. Michael Pappalardo said.
"To me, it's heartbreaking because I thought something like this would never happen around here, but you know, we live in a different world today," said Victor Rodriguez. His wife found the graffiti painted on a small school bus.
Officials said similar graffiti was found in Dracut.
"It said hate crime when I first saw it," explained David Stapleton. He spent Sunday morning scrubbing the swastika off his son's car.
"I was surprised to see it. Just some kid who doesn't know what he is doing."
There are no suspects so far.
If you have any information you are asked to call police.
