Possible Hate Crime Investigated In Santa Clara

SANTA CLARA - Police are investigating a possible hate crime in Santa Clara where a man's car was filled with anti-gay messages earlier this week, a police spokesman said Friday.

The victim, a man in his 30s, found multiple homophobic messages on his car parked outside his apartment complex on Karen Drive sometime Sunday, police Lt. Dan Moreno said.

The man found pamphlets, a DVD, booklets and other notes on how to not be gay along with a gay slur that appeared to be handwritten over dew on his windshield, Moreno said.

There was also a message on the car against having gay people or smokers at the complex, according to Moreno.

The man, who is gay, didn't notify police until Monday morning, the lieutenant said.

A detective has been assigned to investigate the case, which has been classified as a suspicious circumstance, and is following up on leads, Moreno said.

Police haven't called the incident a hate crime because they haven't found out the "true motivation" behind the messages or suspect's identity, Moreno said.

Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the police detective division at (408) 615-4800.

-Bay City News, generic image via Patch archives