York Regional Police say they believe the same suspects are responsible for anti-black and anti-Semitic graffiti discovered at three different schools in Markham over the weekend.
The vandalism was found on the walls, windows and playground equipment at schools in the area of Highway 7 and Wooten Way on Sunday.
Investigators believe the incidents took place either late Saturday night or early on Sunday.
The graffiti featured references to the KKK and white power and equated the Star of David with the swastika, according to the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC).
In a statement issued Monday, the organization praised police for “quickly taking action and treating the graffiti as a serious crime.”
Last month, York police laid mischief charges against three teens after racist and anti-Semitic messages were found on a school property in Vaughan.
“We have seen Ontario schools become the targets of numerous anti-Semitic graffiti attacks this year, and this anti-Semitic messaging is often combined with messaging inspired by the white supremacist movement,” said FSWC president Avi Benlolo.
Anyone with information or video that could help in the investigation is being asked to call police or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
“Crimes like these are devastating to everyone who takes pride in being part of such a diverse and inclusive community,” York police chief Eric Jolliffe said in a media release.
“I am asking our community to come together and share information that will help us find the people responsible for these crimes. I strongly encourage those responsible to seek legal advice and turn themselves in.”
— With a file from the Canadian Press
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