A Mid-Wilshire man discovered his 2016 Dodge Charger defaced with the letters “KKK” and racial slurs after the car had sat covered on the street for a week, News Of Los Angeles reported exclusively Monday.
At a Glance
- The vandalism occurred on Orange Drive near Olympic Boulevard
- Damage is estimated in the thousands of dollars
- LAPD is treating the incident as a possible hate crime
- No arrests have been made
Why it matters: The attack highlights a recent uptick in bias-related property crimes that has neighborhood residents on edge.
According to Amanda S. Bennett, the owner had left the Charger parked and covered while away for seven days. When he returned Saturday morning and pulled off the cover, he found the hood, doors, and trunk etched and painted with offensive language targeting his race.
Investigators say the suspect used a sharp object to carve into the paint before applying white spray paint, leaving the three-letter acronym and additional epithets prominently displayed. The LAPD’s Hate Crimes Unit has taken over the case.
The department told News Of Los Angeles that repair estimates already exceed several thousand dollars and could rise once body-shop specialists assess whether deep scratches require full-panel replacements.
Detectives are canvassing the block for doorbell, dash-cam, or business-surveillance footage that might show the perpetrator approaching the covered vehicle. They are also asking residents who were in the area between the night of Friday, May 31, and early Saturday to review any recordings.
No similar incidents have been reported on the same street in recent weeks, but officers are comparing the damage to earlier cases in neighboring communities to determine whether a pattern exists.
Community leaders held an impromptu sidewalk gathering Sunday to condemn the act and urge anyone with information to come forward. Several attendees told News Of Los Angeles they plan to install additional cameras and improve outdoor lighting to deter further vandalism.
The LAPD asks tipsters to contact Hate Crimes detectives at 213-996-1966. Callers can remain anonymous by calling L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS.
