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Vandalism at Catholic church office in Palo Alto dubbed as hate crime

A crucifix can be seen as believers make their way to the pilgrimage chapel in Etzelsbach, eastern Germany, to attend a vesper service held by Pope Benedict XVI, on September 23, 2011, the second day of the Pontiff's first state visit to his native Germany. The 84-year old pope, German born Joseph Ratzinger, has a packed program, with 18 sermons and speeches planned for his four-day trip to Berlin, Erfurt in the ex-German Democratic Republic and Freiburg. AFP PHOTO / ODD ANDERSEN (Photo credit should read ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images)

PALO ALTO, Calif. (KRON) — The Palo Alto Police Department is investigating vandalism at the office of a Catholic church on Friday, according to a press release. Police received a call around 4:10 p.m. regarding an unknown suspect who spray-painted on a statue and a wall at the St. Thomas Aquinas Pastoral Center.

An investigation revealed the suspect used pink spray to vandalize the garden area of the office between Sept. 18 and 24. A phrase of white supremacy was written on a wall and spray-painted a statue, the press release said.

By the time Palo Alto police were notified of the incident, the damage was already repaired. The parish office is located at 3290 Middlefield Road, which is approximately 2.5 miles away from St. Thomas Aquinas Church.

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No other information was immediately available. Police say if anyone with information is asked to call 650-329-2413. They can also email paloalto@tipnow.org or send a text message or voicemail at 650-383-8984.