Man arrested after allegedly vandalizing Westminster mosque

A 40-year-old man arrested in reference to vandalizing a Westminster mosque earlier this week might face a hate crime cost, officers stated Thursday.

Police responded to the Al Noor Basis Mosque at 14522 Goldenwest St. about 7:50 a.m. Wednesday.

The suspect, Ernesto Martinez, tried to run from the realm, however responding officers discovered him and detained him with out incident, Westminster police stated.

An investigation revealed Martinez, of Santa Ana, used a gallon-sized paint can to “strike the entrance door a number of instances,” police stated.

He then allegedly threw the paint can in opposition to the glass doorways and floor space close to the door of the mosque earlier than making an attempt to get away.

“After being detained, Martinez made an inflammatory spiritual assertion about why he vandalized the mosque,” police stated with out elaborating.

Martinez, who’s on post-release neighborhood supervision, was booked on suspicion of felony vandalism, violating civil rights and a probation violation.

Detectives proceed to analyze the potential hate crime and ask anybody with additional details about the incident or suspect to name the Westminster Police Division at 714-548-3212, or Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS or by logging on to www.occrimestoppers.org.