Vandal breaks into Islamic Center of Tucson, destroys copies of Quran

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - A man broke into the Islamic Center of Tucson early Monday morning, March 13, ripped up copies of the Quran and scattered the pieces around the building, authorities said.

The ICT said it happened around 3:30 a.m., nothing was stolen and no one was hurt.

"The camera footage leads us to believe that the sole intent of this individual was to damage the center's religious property," the ICT said in a Facebook post.

The ICT said an unknown man was seen on surveillance video.

Sgt. Kim Bay, spokeswoman for the Tucson Police Department, said the man is considered a suspect.

Video shows the man forcing his way into the ICT by pulling hard on the door.

"There is no indication this was a hate crime," Bay said.

Police want to interview him before determining his motivations.

Anyone with information is asked to call 88-CRIME or 911.

"Although we are disheartened by this incident, we understand that this is an isolated incident," the center wrote in a post. "The ICT has been a part of the Tucson community since the late 1980s and since then, the Tucson community has been kind, welcoming, and supportive."

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