An elderly woman in Los Angeles woman whose car was destroyed by gang members in what the police called a “hate crime” was gifted a new one days ago. The LAPD partnered up with East LA Auto Sales, the L.A. Police Protective League, the nonprofit group Badge of Heart, and the union for LAPD officers to get the woman the new car.
The LAPD surprised the woman with the new sedan at the LAPD’s Hollenbeck Community Police Station in the 2100 block of East 1st Street, CBS Los Angeles reported. It was all tears of joy for the elderly woman as she was handed the car.
The police said the woman, who lives in LAPD’s Hollenbeck Division, was victimized by the gang members, who called her racial names before destroying her car.
“They jumped on the hood, they jumped on the roof, they carved into the paint racial names, and ultimately destroyed the car, it was a total loss,” said LAPD Capt. Rick Stabile in a video that was posted to social media.
A suspect was arrested for the hate crime though his name and the charges he faced were not disclosed.
Watch as the woman is presented with the new car:
After arresting a suspect for a Hate Crime/Vandalism, @LAPDHollenbeck knew there was more that could be done. They partnered with East LA Auto Sales, @Badgeofheart and @LAPPL to get the victim a new car—and remind us all that in this world, we can all go the extra mile. pic.twitter.com/E2GLB11RIL
— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) November 19, 2020