Police: Halal Market Vandalism Not Motivated by Hate

WESTBROOK, Maine - Police in Maine say a case of vandalism at a Halal market was a drunken incident and not a hate crime.
 
The Portland Press Herald reports that 40-year-old Jeremiah Gleason, of Westbrook, was charged with aggravated criminal mischief Friday. Police say Gleason threw a can of alcohol through a window at the Tigris Market in Westbrook.
 
The market sells Middle Eastern food, rugs and cigarettes.
 
Investigators say there is no evidence of a hate crime. Authorities instead say it was a drunken rampage.
 
The Neighbor to Neighbor program posted on Facebook about the crime and encouraged residents to support Tigris. Neighbor to Neighbor is a community program that helps immigrants acclimate to Westbrook.