Defacing of Van Called Hate Crime

An Antelope Valley church van was broken into and tagged with racist messages last week, vandalism that sheriff’s deputies are calling a hate crime.

Vandals broke into the van while it was behind Agape Community Church, 45313 Beech Ave. in Lancaster, and defaced it with swastikas, white-power symbols and hateful words, a sheriff’s report said.

Pastor George Todd said the church also had been struck by vandals a month ago.

“Most people are aware the skinheads started here and there is some racism [in Lancaster],” Todd said. “We just can’t give in to it. I have love, not hate for whoever did this. I’d invite them to visit an Agape service.”