Swastikas Carved Into Cars on the Westside

Vandals damaged about 50 vehicles—slashing tires and etching swastikas into the paint—on the western side of the city overnight, Santa Cruz police reported.

Most of the vandalism happened on and around Almar Avenue, all between 11 p.m. Friday and 1 a.m. Saturday, according to Santa Cruz police spokesman Zach Friend.

Officers were out all day Saturday collecting evidence and inventorying the damage.

"This is a despicable display of ignorance and intolerance in our community," Friend said. "There are very few family-friendly terms that come to mind when someone does something like this. We are hopeful that information will come forward that helps us track the suspect or suspects down."

Friend said the hate symbols mean investigators can add a hate crime charge to the felony vandalisms. It wasn't clear if any vehicles or people were specifically targeted.

Police ask anyone with information regarding the incident call investigators 831-420-5870 or leave a tip at 831-420-5995, online at www.santacruzpolice.com or via the SCPD smartphone app.