Eastern Iowa Hate Crime Investigation

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) — Cedar Rapids police are investigating a reported act of vandalism at a Muslim-owned home as a hate crime.

A spokeswoman for the city says officers were called to the home Tuesday afternoon on a report that someone had spray painted anti-Muslim words and threats on walls. Communications Director Maria Johnson says items were also stolen from the home.

Johnson says police have increased patrols in the neighborhood and around a nearby Mosque.

The Iowa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says that when it sent a representative to investigate, the woman was called derogatory names.