MANCHESTER, Conn. — A Manchester man said his truck was vandalized late Tuesday night on Princeton Street, just around the corner from the Manchester Police Department.
He woke up to two swastikas on his truck window plus other damages.
"I was extremely mad," said Justin Martin of Manchester.
Martin, like many others on a late Tuesday night was asleep, but some vandals were wide awake shortly before midnight.
Martin's neighbor across the street captured the movement of the vandals on their Ring camera.
Princeton Street was dark, but Martin's motion-activated flood light turned on when the vandals targeted his black truck parked in the driveway.
The crime was committed in just a matter of minutes.
"Opened the doors, did a couple swastikas and left in two minutes and 30 seconds," added Martin.
Wednesday early morning, he woke up to the unexpected.
Two swastikas appeared on his driver-side window and all three of his garbage cans and political yard signs were thrown on top of his truck. The vandals also broke into his truck.
Martin believed he was specifically targeted.
"Whether it was somebody who I’ve known who maybe I’ve stopped talking to because I didn’t like them or they didn’t like me or if it’s someone who has seen my general appearance or the truck. It’s not like the truck is not intimidating – it’s loud, it’s big, it’s low," added Martin.
Neighbors on Princeton Street described the area as peaceful.
"I think it’s just people starving for attention!" said Jack McCarten of Manchester.
The yard signs had Martin thinking the crime was politically motivated.
"I must be a White Supremacist and how I should vote Democrat because that’s the right thing to do and I’m not a Democrat nor a Republican," added Martin.
Manchester Mayor Jay Moran said in a statement:
"This horrible incident is being investigated by the Manchester Police. The Board of Directors (our local town council) just this month unanimously approved for the Town of Manchester to sign onto the Anti-Defamation League Community Letter committing to combat Anti-Semitism and fight hate for good. Manchester stands together in solidarity to decry hate, denounce scapegoating, and ensure that rising extremism not be mainstreamed or normalized."
So far, police have not announced any arrests.
If you witness similar suspicious activity, you are urged to contact Manchester Police immediately.
Carmen Chau is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at cchau@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook and X.
---
Have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.