Break-In, Vandalism of Area Home Under Investigation as Hate Crime

VAN NUYS, CA – The burglary and vandalism of a Van Nuys home is being investigated today as a hate crime, police said.

Officers received a call around 6 p.m. Tuesday about an open door at a residence in the 7400 block of Vista Del Monte Avenue, said Officer Liliana Preciado of the Los Angeles Police Department's Media Relations Division.

Arriving officers found the door open and made entry to make sure there were no suspects inside, Preciado said.

The officers found "severe'' property damage to the home and, based on the evidence, are labeling the vandalism a hate crime, Preciado said.

LAPD Sgt.Carl Taylor added in remarks reported by the Los Angeles Times that anti-gay graffiti was found in the home, along with kicked-in walls and destroyed waterpipes.

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--City News Service/File photo