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Arrest made in vandalism at Koreatown Islamic center
Carlos Moran, 43, was booked on suspicion of vandalism, with a "hate crime enhancement" for allegedly writing hateful comments on the Islamic Center of Southern California.
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Police Department announced Tuesday an arrest was made after the Islamic Center of Southern California was defaced with anti-Islamic hate messages over the weekend.
Carlos Moran, 43, was booked on suspicion of vandalism, with a "hate crime enhancement" in connection with the crime.
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The incident occurred at the religious center in Koreatown on Vermont Avenue around 12:40 a.m. Sunday, which fell in the middle of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar.
Police said a man seen on surveillance video, wearing a black hoodie, black beanie and black graphic T-shirt, used a permanent marker to write anti-Islamic hate words on the property of the Islamic center before heading off westbound on Vermont.
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Islamic Center in Koreatown defaced
The suspect was seen on surveillance footage using a permanent marker to write anti-Islamic messaging on the building.
"Olympic patrol officers were directed to the 500 block of Shatto Place, where they identified an individual matching the description of the hate crime suspect, who appeared to wearing the same clothing with the exception of a T-shirt from the night of the incident," LAPD Chief Michel Moore told the city Police Commission Tuesday morning.
Moore said the suspect appeared to be suffering from some type of mental health issue.
"This hate crime is a reminder that we must stand together locally and internationally as a community against all forms of hate, bigotry, and violence. We must remain vigilant and work towards creating a society that is inclusive, tolerant, and respects the beliefs and traditions of all communities," the Islamic Center of Southern California said in a statement.
According to sheriff's inmate records, Moran was being held in lieu of $85,000 bail.
City News Service contributed to this report.