Suspect wanted in San Diego hate crime vandalism spree

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A $2,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in a series of hate crime vandalism cases in several San Diego neighborhoods.

The cases, which started in December 2024 and occurred as recent as September 2025, have been reported in Bankers Hill, Golden Hill, Hillcrest and North Park, San Diego County Crime Stoppers along with the San Diego Police Department said in a news release Tuesday.

The vandalism includes graffiti to several churches and religious shrines of different denominations containing slurs targeting specific religions where the spray-paintings have occurred, according to the release.

Surveillance cameras captured footage of the suspect on each of the properties during the early-morning hours using black spray-paint and then leaving the scene.

He is described as a 25 to 30-year-old heavy set man in a dark hooded sweatshirt with a hood over his head, dark frame eyeglasses, dark face covering, dark pants and black shoes
with a white sole. In some of the cases, the suspect's dark hooded sweatshirt had the words “BLTS SWATS” screen-printed on the front.

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the SDPD’s Criminal Intelligence Unit at 619-531-2331 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 888-580-8477. Visit Crime Stoppers' website for information on how to send a web or mobile app tip.

Juliette Vara contributed to this report