Police are investigating a hate crime that occurred on Sunday, April 12th.
The Portland Halaal Market at 269 Saint John Street reported that anti-Muslim graffiti was spray painted on the A Street side of the building.
Surveillance video shows a white male wearing a black hooded sweat shirt spray painting the phrase at 5 a.m. The damage was discovered and reported to police by 9 a.m.
Because of the content of the graffiti and its placement on a business that caters to the Muslim community this incident is being treated as a hate crime. The case will be referred to the Maine Attorney General’s Office while investigated by the Police.
No other incidents of this nature have been reported.
To provide information anonymously, contact Portland Police at 874-8575, text the keyword “GOTCHA” plus the tip message to 274637 (CRIMES), or go to the Portland Police Department website and click “Submit an Anonymous Crime Tip.”
