Joshua Sanchez, 30, of Carol Stream, Ill., in the Chicago area, was charged earlier this week with two hate crimes for allegedly spray painting anti-Israel messages and statements critical of U.S. President Donald Trump on a police station and two businesses.
The targets were the Carol Stream Police Department, Chrissy’s Gaming Bar and Grill, and a nearby 7-Eleven, according to Bob Berlin, the DuPage County state’s attorney, and Don Cummings, the Carol Stream police chief.
Sanchez is charged with writing expletives directed at both Trump and Israel. When he was detained near the police station, officers found “a five-inch silver knife, with metal/brass knuckles on the handle” after Sanchez reached into a pocket, the county alleged.
“Hate crimes, and the accompanying prejudice that fuels the type of despicable actions alleged in this case, have no place in civilized society,” Berlin, the state’s attorney, said. “Make no mistake, any crime driven by hate, with the intent to harm, intimidate or instill fear in the community will not be tolerated in DuPage County.”
Sanchez is next due in court on Oct. 20.
