Newport Beach police are investigating a series of incidents in a Newport Coast neighborhood that they are classifying as hate crimes.
Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman, Kathy Lowe, said they took four related reports on Sunday in the area of St. Laurent and Bellvue, just off of San Joaquin Hills Road.
Swastikas were etched into two vehicles, Lowe said. Nearby, the word “hope” was spray painted onto the sidewalk, then crossed out. Another swastika was also painted on the sidewalk. Another resident reported that an American flag mounted to the eaves of her home had been partially burned.
The reports were taken as hate crimes, Lowe said, so detectives are investigating the incidents as such, rather than as simple vandalism.
All of the incidents happened between about 9:30 p.m. Saturday night and 11 a.m. Sunday morning, Lowe said.
There have been no other similar crimes reported recently, she added.
The police investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information is urged to call the Newport Beach Police Department at 800-550-NBPD.
“just off of San Joaquin Hills Road.”
I would be more inclined to believe this was a “pass through” crime. Right off of San Joaquin and on to the freeway…hard to think there are hateful people like that in that neighborhood.