York Region police offer 40K reward in 2004 Vaughan hate crime

York Region police have doubled a reward to $40,000 for information that could help them solve a 2004 hate crime.

Initially, police offered a $20,000 reward after 13 homes in Vaughan were defaced with swastikas and other anti-Semitic messages overnight on March 14, 2004.

“We haven’t had any significant response to the existing reward, so the police services board decided to double it with an expiry of Jan. 31, 2013,” Det. Brett Kemp told CityNews.ca.

“There are people…who were perhaps young when this incident occurred and didn’t realize the broader impact of this crime. We can always hope someone comes forward,” he added.

Between 11 p.m. on Sunday, March 13 and 7 a.m. on Monday, March 14, police say the vandal or vandals used black spray paint to deface homes and cars on Beverly Glen Boulevard, near Bathurst and Centre streets.

Not all of the messaging was anti-Semitic. The letters “YR” appeared on one truck and Kemp said police aren’t sure of the significance of that tag. However, all the damage was done that night.

“I’m not sure if any of those homes have been targeted since, but mischief and property damage are the most commonly occurring hate crimes,” Kemp said.

Anyone who has previously spoken to investigators or has further information is urged to contact police.

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