Police Seek Public's Help Finding Austin Mosque Vandal

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police on Monday asked for help from the public in locating a person of interest centered on a series of attacks on a North Austin mosque in the past few weeks.

The Austin Police Department issued an electronic flyer with an image from a camera surveillance camera in the hopes that someone might recognize the unidentified man seen at the mosque in recent days. This past Thursday, officials at the North Austin Muslim Community Center, 11900 N Lamar Blvd., said the mosque was vandalized for the second time in as many weeks. In both cases, cars and property were damaged, officials said.

Police now are asking the public for assistance in locating a man seen on surveillance camera footage who they refer to as a "person of interest" in the case. In a press advisory, police describe the circumstances behind the person-of-interest sightings:

• On Aug. 29, at around 9:43 p.m., a person of interest is seen on video at the mosque located at 11900 N. Lamar Blvd., but no criminal mischief committed.

• September 2, 2018 at approximately 1:24 a.m.: There were four tires slashed on a vehicle belonging to a member of the mosque. The vandalism was reported by phone later that morning. Case #18-5034388
• September 2, 2018 at approximately 1:27 a.m.: During the preceding event, the front doors located on the east side of mosque were shattered as were doors and windows on the south side of the mosque. The person of interest is seen on video, but not committing damage. Case #18-2450156
• September 13, 2018 at approximately 1:43 a.m.: There were two tires slashed on a vehicle belonging to the mosque's security guard and two tires slashed on a van belonging to the mosque. A building window appeared to be cracked from an attempted entry. Case #18-2560109
• September 17, 2018 at approximately 2:08 a.m.: The front doors of the New Madina Market located at 9200 N. Lamar were broken. The person of interest seen on video appears to be the same person captured on video at the mosque on August 29, 2018.

Flyer courtesy of Austin Police Department

Related stories:

Austin Mosque Vandalized For Second Time In 2 Weeks

North Austin Mosque Vandalized

"The Austin Police Department takes these crimes very seriously," Austin Police Chief Brian Manley said in a prepared statement. "Anytime a specific group is targeted or attacked in our community, our entire community is being targeted or attacked. As your police chief, these types of crimes will not be tolerated."

Manley outlined a number of steps that have been taken since the mosque was targeted, vowing a suspect will eventually be detained: "The Austin Police Department has increased patrols at various locations and is employing covert tactics in an attempt to identify and arrest the suspect(s). We will continue to aggressively investigate this case until the suspect(s) has/have been arrested.”

Anyone with information regarding these crimes please contact Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS, text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES or use the new Crime Stoppers App or APD Detective Jason Greve at (512) 974-5543. Those with information also can submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

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>>> Image via Austin Police Department