MONROE, N.C. -- Police in Monroe are searching for vandals who they believe spray painted at least 28 buildings in town and a police cruiser late Thursday night into Friday morning.

An officer discovered the vandalized cruiser Friday morning. It had a swastika and the word "chaos" spray painted on the hood. It had been vandalized while parked in the police station parking lot.

"Pretty brazen. Brazen and stupid," said Monroe Police Sergeant Mike Smith, who is working the investigation.

Police released pictures of three men buying spray paint at the Monroe Walmart and they believe they are the ones responsible.

Late Friday night police said they were questioning a man who they thought was one of the men involved but he had not been charged.

"Most of the symbols that were spray painted were of a racist nature," said Smith.

Investigators said anyone arrested could eventually be charged with a hate crime.

"With the swastika obviously, and with some of the things that were spray painted, there is definitely racist tone to those spray paintings," said Smith.

If you have any information about the vandalism or the men shown in the photos you are asked to call the Monroe Police Department.
http://www.wcnc.com/news/crime/Monroe-police-search-for-men-accused-of-racial-vandalism-140365733.html