REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- Delaware State Police have charged two teens with hate crime and other offenses following accusations that they used spray paint to vandalize several cars, homes and fences in the Rehoboth Beach area.
According to police, the incidents occurred sometime between 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, and 7 a.m. on Friday, March 23. That Friday morning, troopers were called to a home on Fir Drive for a reported criminal mischief to a vehicle. One of the victims noticed a male suspect near his vehicle and was able to see him flee into a nearby home. Upon inspecting his car, the victim saw his tail lights had been spray painted red.
Troopers were able to locate the two suspects inside a home close to where the crime occurred and place them in custody. Police said a further investigation revealed the two still had red paint on their hands and face.
More victims were located in the area of Fir Drive and Shady Ridge Drive that had red spray paint on their cars, house windows and fencing. One victim on Shady Ridge Drive had anti-gay sentiments spray painted on his automobile and along the front of his house, according to police.
The two teens- one a 17-year-old male from Lewes and the other a 17-year-old male from Rehoboth Beach- were each charged with one count of hate crime, first- and third-conspiracy and six counts of criminal mischief under $1,000. They were arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court #5 and released to the custody of their parents pending a Family Court hearing.
Because of the age of the suspects, police are not releasing their names.
Anyone with information on this incident or any other similar incident is asked to contact Troop 7 at (302) 644-5020 or Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333. Information may also be provided via www.tipsubmit.com. Send an anonymous tip by text to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword "DSP."
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