EL CAJON (KGTV) — Five cars in an El Cajon neighborhood were spray painted with gay slurs, swastikas, and anti-Arab messages on June 27, according to El Cajon Police.
Police stated they believe the hate crime vandalism happened between 1:30 a.m.-3 a.m. on that day in the 1300 block of Greenfield Drive.
"I was driving down Greenfield (Drive) and I saw this car," El Cajon resident Taiyler said, as she pointed to a Cadillac sedan covered in white spray paint and slurs.
Taiyler, who provided just her first name to avoid any retribution, couldn't help but stop and stare. The car was still parked on the side of Greenfield Drive on Monday, in front of an apartment complex, and it’s not far from her home.
"It made me say, ‘What?’" she said, describing her shock.
The messages and symbols she saw sprayed on the car were vile.
"It was very clear that it was a swastika. It's sad," she added.
But days later, it's not the only vandalized car still parked on the block. About 50 yards up the street, another car is spray painted with swastikas and gay slurs.
Another neighbor gave ABC 10News photos of five cars that were tagged last week. The messages were racist and included anti-Arab sentiments as well.
In the middle of ABC 10News' interview with Taiyler, the mom of the driver who owns the Cadillac sedan arrived.
The woman didn't want to go on the record for an interview out of fear of retribution, but she said her daughter, who lives with her, filed a report with police.
"We've never really even seen anything like this before," said El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells.
Wells said El Cajon Police are investigating the five incidents, but the department has no leads. Wells added officers have knocked on doors searching for surveillance footage.
In a statement, police said, “The motive for the vandalism is unclear, and investigators have not determined whether the suspect(s) had any prior connection to the victims.”
"This is not what you want to see in our community or in any community," Wells said. "And it's really not indicative of El Cajon."
Wells said the city won't tolerate hate speech and that El Cajon is a welcoming place.
But right now, Taiyler doesn't feel the same way.
"This is not shocking in any way whatsoever. It's just disturbing and disgusting, but not shocking,” she said.
Police are asking anyone with information on the case to call the department at 619-579-3311 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.
