SUNDRE – Mounties are investigating an instance of mischief in which a Sundre business' sign was vandalized with graffiti.
In a press release issued on Monday, April 14, Sundre RCMP reported the incident occurred at the Sundre Car Wash on Friday, April 11 at 12:45 a.m.
The suspect spray-painted graffiti that reads “go home poop” on the sign that features Punjabi script that states “Welcome to Sundre" underneath English writing.
“CCTV captured the suspect in the act and RCMP request public assistance in identifying this person,” said police.
“The suspect was wearing a black mask, dressed completely in white clothes and was riding a bike.”
Answering follow-up questions, RCMP Cpl. Gina Slaney told the Albertan that without having a suspect identified, presuming any motive would be speculative.
“At this point, we don’t even know if it’s hateful in nature, because until a suspect is identified and would admit to such a thing, then it’s all speculation,” she said.
However, the corporal added discriminatory, bias-based crimes could result in higher penalties if a suspect were identified, charged and brought to court.
“It would be taken into consideration upon conviction and sentencing,” she said. “The judge would take that fact into consideration, but it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a hate crime.”
As to whether there might be a connection with a similar incident that involved graffiti being spray painted on NDP election signs during a similar timeline, Slaney said, “It’s all under investigation. They don’t have the person identified, so I think it’s too early to assume or to say that this is the same person for both incidents. But it definitely would be a consideration.”
Anyone with information about these crimes is encouraged to contact the Sundre RCMP at 403-638-3655.
Alternatively, anyone who prefers to remain anonymous may contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) as well as submit information online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the P3 Tips app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.
