Cops: Vernon Hills graffiti not a hate crime

Vernon Hills police said they do not think graffiti spray-painted at eight residences in Sugar Creek subdivision was a hate crime, even though what was written could be considered racial.

Sgt. Kevin Grampo said the vandalism occurred between 1:30 and 6:30 a.m. Wednesday and involved purple spraypaint on some garage doors, cars and driveways.

Grampo said the what was written did not target a specific ethnic group or individuals living in the homes, but seemed to describe the criminals themselves.

"Some of the things written could be construed as hateful, except the words written seemed to describe (the vandals) themselves and not the homeowners," he said. "So, at this point, officers believe it was just juvenile mischief and not racially motivated."

Grampo said three of the eight complaints in the area of Buffalo Grove and Port Clinton roads were from white families, two were Asian, and one family was of Indian descent. Reports had not yet been completed on the remaining two complaints.

Two cars, two driveways, a garage door and a vehicle license plate were reported damaged, he said. Police canvassed the neighborhood after the complaints were reported Wednesday morning, but no evidence of the criminals was discovered, Grampo said.

Anyone with any information about the damage should call the Vernon Hills Police Department at (847) 362-4449.