Hate crime charges filed in Van Nuys Anti-Semitic vandalism case

VAN NUYS, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A 49-year-old man has been charged with three counts of vandalism and three counts of a hate crime after allegedly painting swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti on a Van Nuys plumbing business.

Amos Hason painted the swastikas and anti-Semitic graffiti on the rear fence and dumpster of a Jewish-owned plumbing business, according to the Los Angeles City Attorney's office. Prosecutors say surveillance video caught Hason in the act on two separate occasions last month. He was arrested over the weekend.

Hason was previously convicted by the L.A. City Attorney's office on two charges, including possession of a zip gun and possession of a deadly weapon with the intent to assault another.

"He has criminal history and was arrested with a weapon," said City Attorney Mike Feuer. "He allegedly has been involved in a hate crime, that's a very dangerous combination."

Hason is being held in lieu of $68,000 bail, and is expected to be arraigned Tuesday at the Van Nuys Courthouse. If convicted, he faces three years in jail and $15,000 in fines.