Windsor police have arrested a man in connection to a string of vandalism incidents at W.E. Trans Support's community centre earlier this month.
Police began their investigation in mid-February after graffiti was left on the front windows of the centre that included a swastika and homophobic slur.
Within a week, police reported that they were investigating two more hate-motivated crimes at the centre, which is located on Tecumseh Road East near Moy Avenue.
In the second instance of vandalism, graffiti criticizing police was found along with more swastikas, racial slurs, and homophobic slurs. Two days later, a rusted brake rotor from a vehicle was thrown through the facility's window, shattering the glass and damaging the floors. Additional swastikas and obscene language were also written.
During the course of the investigation, an adult male suspect and an involved residence were identified.
On April 21, investigators from the Morality Unit applied for and were granted a search warrant for the involved residence.
The suspect was located that afternoon and arrested without incident.
As a result, 18-year-old Seth Bertrand of Windsor was charged with three counts of mischief under $5,000.
The charges have not been proven in court.
According to police, the matter is being further evaluated for charges related to hate-motivated crimes.
A GoFundMe page was set up by W.E. Trans Support Executive Director Alexander Reid for a fund to repair the damage. Reid was able to raise $14,641.
W.E. Trans Support has since rebranded itself to Trans Wellness Ontario to represent the expansion of services the group offers throughout the province.
-With files from Mark Brown and Hannah Theodore