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Laurel Police Investigating Possible Hate Crime

LAUREL, Md. (WJZ) -- Police are investigating a possible hate crime in Laurel.

Surveillance video captured a white tractor trailer backing into the Islamic Community Center on Contee Road Monday night.

No one was inside at the time, and no injuries were reported.

The Council for American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR, is calling for a federal probe into the incident.

"In light of the hostile political climate impacting the American Muslim community, and because of the spike in hate crimes and threats targeting Muslims and their institutions, we urge federal law enforcement authorities to add their resources to the investigation to help bring the perpetrators to justice and to establish a motive for this disturbing crime," said CAIR Maryland Outreach Manager Dr. Zainab Chaudry.

The president of the center says the damage will likely top $10,000.

" This mosque has been in here for more than 30 years, " President Ibrahim Zuberi said. " We have always felt welcome in Laurel. I know the Laurel community and our extended community will not tolerate this. We know the community will come together to try and help identify this truck and figure out why it happened."

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 301-498-0092.

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