Update

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) — Police say a 22-year-old suspect has been arrested for spray painting hate-related messages on a mosque in Moorhead, after the man was identified by a Walmart employee. The local man was taken into custody Tuesday night in south Moorhead after police received the information from the store’s loss prevention officer. KVRR-TV reports that the officer noticed that red spray paint was used in the incident and began to examine store purchase records. The employee found a man on on surveillance video buying red spray paint from a Walmart in Fargo, North Dakota.

KVLY Photo

 

Previously

MOORHEAD, Minn. (AP) — Police say they’ve arrested a 22-year-old man for spray painting hate-related messages on a mosque in Moorhead.

Authorities say the local man was taken into custody Tuesday night in south Moorhead after police received key information from a local business employee that led to the suspect’s identification. The vandalism was discovered Sunday morning on the outside of the Moorhead Fargo Islamic Community Center. The man has been booked into the Clay County Jail on possible charges of felony harassment and felony criminal damage to property, both with hate crime enhancers. Members of the Moorhead and Fargo, North Dakota metropolitan area turned out with brushes, chemicals, and power washers Monday to help clean the mosque.