Hate Graffiti Found At Orangevale Business Set On Fire
ORANGEVALE (CBS13) – Federal agents have joined an investigation into a fire that was intentionally set at an Orangevale dry cleaning business overnight and where hate graffiti was also found.
Investigators say at 4 a.m. someone used a crowbar to break the window of Star Dry Cleaners on Madison Avenue and Main Street and then threw in a five-gallon gas can and set it on fire.
Firefighters had to cut into the roof to vent the store.
"We do know for sure there was a forced entry and an attempt to light a fire," said Sac Metro Fire Battlion Chief Patrick Ellis.
The owner of the dry cleaning business can't believe what happened.
"I'm shocked. Shocked and disgusted, really mad as hell," said Star Dry Cleaners Mona Kurt. "It's not right. It hurts, it hurts to have this happen. I've been here all my life and I've never faced anything like this."
Kurt is angry and almost beyond words over what fire fighters found outside her business. The suspects spray-painted racial slurs and a swastika on the wall of the dry cleaners.
"There was no reason for this. There is no reason for this," said Kurt, fighting back tears. "We're good people. We've never hurt anybody and there is no reason for this."
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is opening a federal investigation into a possible hate crime.
The fire caused extensive damage to the dry cleaner estimated at $60,000.
Kurt and her brother tell us their dry cleaning business was burglarized four or five months ago. They also say there was more vandalism at the strip mall in early July. But they say they were not prepared for something like this and are asking for witnesses to come forward.
"This is our livelihood," said Kurt. "This is where we bring in our money to take care of our family. To have this happen is not acceptable, just not acceptable."
Kurt says they do hope to re-open but don't know how long that will take.
Investigators are checking surveillance video from surrounding businesses in hopes of getting a glimpse of the suspects.
