FBI investigating graffiti left on Manhattan car as hate crime

Authorities investigating racial slurs and a threat spray painted on a car in Manhattan early Wednesday morning say the FBI is now involved – and the federal agency is looking at the case as a hate crime.

“The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now the lead agency on the case,” the Riley County Police Department said in a news release Thursday. Riley County police will continue to assist with the investigation, the release said.

The police department said officers informed of the defaced car around 7:25 a.m. Wednesday “immediately began investigating and have since filed a report for criminal threat.” Police think the car was spray painted sometime between 1:30 and 3 a.m. Wednesday while it was parked in the 2220 block of Claflin Road in Manhattan.

A 21-year-old Manhattan man is the victim of the vandalism, police said.

Anyone with information about the graffiti is asked to contact the Riley County Police Department at 785-537-2112, the FBI or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers at 785-539-7777. Tipsters who provide information through Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000.

This story was originally published November 2, 2017 at 2:37 PM with the headline "FBI investigating graffiti left on Manhattan car as hate crime."