Police looking for swastika vandalizers

Havre city police are looking for whoever has been spraying images of swastikas and human genitalia on the garages of local residents.

Officers are investigating two similar incidents — one that was reported Sunday morning, the other reported Monday late afternoon — of swastikas, male genitalia and the words “Leroy 12.”

Lt. Aaron Wittmer said this morning there are some “names floating around,” but there are no official suspects. It could be a hate crime, he said, but it could also be pranksters being obnoxious.

“It’s serious,” he said. “We’re trying to find out who’s doing it.”

While some of the images look like swastikas, Wittmer said they are also researching if it could have other meanings. In both incidents the words “Leroy” and number 12 are also painted.

Chad Donaldson, 16, reported Sunday at 10:32 a.m. that his garage door was spray-painted.

“Yes this was the second time our garage got vandalized,” Donaldson said in a Facebook message. “Yes we’re almost positive it’s someone we know.”

Donaldson said he believes the images are most likely intended to be racist.

The second call was made by a Second Avenue man who reported Monday at 1:47 p.m. that someone had spray-painted on his garage Sunday.

Those images are similar to the ones on Donaldson’s garage, Wittmer said.