Vandals target O.C. Islamic center

CYPRESS, Calif. (KABC) -- Vandals painted on the doors and walls of an O.C. Islamic center, and police are calling the act a hate crime on Thursday.

A police officer on routine patrol noticed the messages at about 4 a.m., and the paint was reportedly still wet.

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One of the messages said, "Soldiers will avenge." Police said other hateful words were mixed with profanity.

The vandalism comes right after President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo addressing the Muslim world.

"I don't want to speculate as to it being related to the president's speech. However, it is rather interesting with the timing of the graffiti and the timing of the speech," said Sgt. Tom Bruce from the Cypress Police Department.

Authorities said the center has not reported any threats or any problems in the past.

Workers immediately removed the graffiti that was spray painted on the walls on the front of the center, as well as the front door and the concrete sidewalk out front.

Anyone with information is urged to call the Cypress Police Department.

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