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Juvenile Charged With Hate Crime In Riverside Gurdwara Vandalism

spnadmin

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Email announcement from SALDEF

Juvenile Charged With Hate Crime in Riverside Gurdwara Vandalism

A juvenile suspect has been arrested and charged with a hate crime in connection to the vandalism of the Riverside Gurdwara on July 29, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

The suspect, whose name is not publicly available because of his age, has also been charged with 33 separate counts of vandalism for incidents within the last year. In conjunction with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating any potential connections the juvenile may have to known hate groups. Thus far, they have not found any such connections.

The Sheriff’s Department says information provided by local community leaders and the management committee of the Gurdwara Sahib, including video footage showing the act of vandalism as it happened, was crucial to the arrest.

Riverside Sheriff's Department Public Statement


  • Press Release: Hate Crime / Felony Vandalism
  • Agency: Jurupa Valley Police
  • Station Area: Jurupa Valley
  • Written Date: August 5, 2013 Time: 10:00 PM
  • Incident Date: July 30, 2013 Time: 11:45 AM
  • Incident Location: 7900 block of Mission Boulevard, Jurupa Valley City
  • Reporting Officer: Sergeant Mike Manning
  • File Number(s): JV132110063

Details:

On July 30, 2013, at 11:41 AM, officers from the Jurupa Valley Police Department responded to a report of a vandalism at the Sikh Temple, located in the 7900 block of Mission Blvd. Riverside, Ca. Sometime overnight, vandals spray-painted hate messages on the property.

Investigators conducted a lengthy investigation into the vandalism that led to the arrest of a juvenile, responsible for the temple vandalism. Subsequent investigation revealed that the same juvenile was also responsible for an ongoing vandalism spree that began in August of 2012, resulting in 33 separate vandalism crimes, totaling over $6800.00 in damages.

The juvenile was arrested and booked into the Juvenile Detention Center for committing a hate crime and 33 separate counts of vandalism. Because the suspect in this case is a juvenile, the name and photograph will not be released. Investigators believe this crime is an isolated incident.

Anyone with additional information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Investigator Lantz at the Jurupa Valley Station (951) 955-2600.
 

spnadmin

1947-2014 (Archived)
SPNer
Jun 17, 2004
14,500
19,219
According to local community leaders who attended the suspect’s first court appearance on Wednesday, the judge noted the severity of this crime and emphasized that the acts reflected ignorance and hate.

SALDEF has been engaged with the Riverside community since the gurdwara alerted the organization’s Los Angeles office to the vandalism. SALDEF staff have provided support to the local sangat for engagement with law enforcement and the media, discussion of potential safety protocol refinements, and in providing Sikh awareness materials for general outreach. SALDEF staff continue to work with local leaders and gurdwara management to determine the short- and long-term needs of the local sangat.

SALDEF staff met with FBI officials on Aug. 7th to discuss the crime, updates on the investigation, additional potential resources for safety, and possible future outreach events.

SALDEF will continue to work to address the safety concerns of the local sangat.

SALDEF urges all Sikh Americans to immediately report any incidents of harassment, bullying or assault to SALDEF and your local authorities. In all emergency situations, please contact law enforcement immediately by calling 911. If you or someone you know has been a victim of any racially motivated crime, please contact SALDEF directly at 202.393.2700 or via our Report an Incident Form at this link http://org2.salsalabs.com/o/5227/signUp.jsp?key=1739
 

Tejwant Singh

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Jun 30, 2004
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Henderson, NV.
In my opinion, this is a great opening for the Sikhs of Riverside. I would engage the juvenile, his friends, his parents, his neighbourhood and others to educate them about Sikhi, invite them to the Gurdwara, work with these kinds of lost generation. I would take the page out from the ex- skinhead who is working together with other Sikhs in Wisconsin.

After this, the Sikh community should ask for leniency from the court for the acts committed. This would be much better way in cementing the relationship by showing and sharing the right side of Sikhi.
 

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