KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
June 11, 2020
By Natalie Cook Clark
Fort Bend County residents in a neighborhood near Cinco Ranch had vehicles and property vandalized with racial slurs and images. About 30 vehicles were spray-painted with inappropriate language at a time when racial tensions in the country are already high.
30 Vehicles and a Driveway Spray-Painted
Residents in Fort Bend County’s Hickory Creek subdivision found several vehicles vandalized with racial slurs. About 30 vehicles were spray-painted with inappropriate rhetoric during a time when racial tensions are high throughout the nation.
Unusual Incident for this Area
“This doesn’t happen here,” says Major Chad Norvell with the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. “Fort Bend has a very diverse community that we embrace. Our detectives have spent a lot of time on this incident and we will find those involved.”
Area Zoned to Seven Lakes High School
The vandalism took place June 3 in the blocks between Pemobrough Lane and Glena Rosa Drive. Hickory Creek is near Cinco Ranch and is zoned to Katy ISD’s Seven Lakes High School.
According to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office, the racial remarks “N-Word” and “Begone" were spray-painted on one driveway.
Charges Depend on Damage Amounts and Hate Crime
In Texas, vandalism is a misdemeanor unless the damage exceeds $150,000, then the crime becomes a second-degree felony. If damages are greater that $300,000 the crime is classified as a first-degree felony. Also in this case, the actions would be considered a hate crime potentially adding to the charges.
This is an ongoing investigation. Detectives have identified at least one person of interest.
Katy Magazine will continue to follow this story.