Buffalo Police: Church Vandalism Could Be Hate Crime

The Buffalo Police Department is investigating after a string of incidents and vandalism at several local churches.

According to police, four of the incidents involved handwritten posters with 'inflammatory messages.'

Damage to the church buildings was reported at two locations.

Churches affected include St. Francis Xavier, Zion Lutheran, 7th Day Adventist, Buffalo Presbyterian, and Hosanna Lutheran.

The police department is investigating these incidents as a 'bias crime.' Police are following up on 'strong leads,' and are looking for a person of interest in this case.

The person of interest is described as a white man with reddish-brown/blond hair, a full short beard, approximately 5’10”, 200 to 220 pounds, and about 22 to 30-years-old. 

He was wearing a black baseball hat with a white front and possibly with a maroon strip on the top, a green Minnesota Wild hooded sweatshirt, tan pants and dark shoes.
He may be driving a two-tone minivan that is dark in color.

At this point, additional details have not been released.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to call the Buffalo Police Department at 763-682-5976.

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