Alleged Tuscany LRT vandal charged, hate-crime determination pending

Calgary police have charged one man in connection with the racist graffiti urging violence against Muslims at the Tuscany LRT station and say charges are pending against a second man.

Miguel Lavergne, 30, of no fixed address faces six countsof public mischief, according to police, who said it is now up to the Crown to determine if hate-crime charges are applicable in this case.

A second suspect has also been arrested and police say six public-mischief charges are also pending against him, but he can't be named publicly until those charges are officially confirmed.

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The vandalism occurred starting around 5:45 p.m.on Dec. 3, according to police, who said the suspects caused "extensive damage" to both levels of the northwest C-Train station, in addition to five vehicles parked outside.

Total damage is estimated to be greater than $20,000.

The often misspelledmessages included swastikas andwhite-power symbols and some urged readers to "kill" Muslims and Syrians.