PHOENIX — Multiple incidents of bias-related crimes have been reported to the Phoenix police in a central Phoenix neighborhood, authorities said.
The Phoenix Police Department responded to several homes in the area near 22nd and 32nd streets and between McDowell and Thomas roads regarding calls for service related to criminal damage to vehicles that occurred overnight on June 18, police said. Police said each incident was determined to have "bias elements" to them.
Phoenix police did not explain what those "bias elements" were.
Phoenix police then responded to several homes in the same area again on June 22 regarding criminal damage to vehicles reported to police. One of the cases was determined to be "bias in nature," police said.
Police said there were nine damaged vehicles related to the "series" and seven of those nine had a "bias element" involved. Six of the incidents occurred overnight on June 18 and three occurred overnight on June 21.
On Saturday morning, 12News journalist Jonathan McCall watched at least three homeowners scrubbing red spray paint off their vehicles.
He spoke with a man who had been targeted twice.
"To see the images is shocking and concerning, to say the least," the man, who didn't want to be identified, said.
The man told 12News that he only knows of white cars being targeted in the series of crimes.
"I feel terrible for our neighbors who woke up to see those images again, and people who drive through our neighborhood because that is not who we are," the man said. "We're a very diverse community. It's sad we're forced to deal with this again."
The Phoenix Police Department is asking for help from residents in the area and surrounding neighborhoods to find information about the incidents, including exterior surveillance video.
If you have any information, you can contact the Phoenix Police Department.
No further details were provided by the police department.
<< This story will be updated as additional information becomes available. Stay with 12News for the latest.
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