SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Police in San Leandro, Calif., have arrested a man on suspicion of a hate crime after multiple anti-Asian graffiti were found at a residence on Inverness Street. .
On June 18, someone vandalized a for-sale sign in front of the home, according to the press release. The spray-painted graffiti on the sign included racial epithets in anti-Asian messages.
The real estate agent for the home said he initially did not want to report the incident to police. But the next day, he and the homeowner decided it was time to speak up when the graffiti on his garage read “NO G**KS.”
“I’m struggling. I’m Asian and just doing business. I’m wondering if I should stand up. We have to call the police,” said the agent, who asked not to be named.
Investigators said the real estate agent, owner and recent tenant of the home were all Asian.
Nicholas Swyers, 25, was arrested on June 20 and police recovered evidence linking Swyers to the crime during the execution of a search warrant.
“This is an unfortunate reminder that hate and racism do exist. However, it is also a reminder that the San Leandro Police Department will clearly not support this type of behavior and will dedicate the necessary resources to bring these perpetrators to justice ,” said Lieutenant Matthew Barajas.
