Deemed a 'Hate Incident,' Teens Harass Northgate Family

Police are on the lookout for a group of teens that hurled trash and racial slurs at a Montgomery Village family on Monday and Tuesday night, acts which are being investigated as a hate incident.

Shortly after 8:45 p.m. on Nov. 7, the owners of a townhome in the 20300 block of Swallow Point Road in Northgate told police that a group of juveniles had been ringing their doorbell and throwing trash and construction cones on their property.

The next day, shortly before 5 p.m., the same homeowners told police they heard crashing sounds and banging on their front door. When they looked outside, they saw four black males and one black female who yelled racial slurs and told the homeowners to "Go back to India," according to police. The homeowners recognized them as the same people from the day before. The door had boot prints, deep scratches and dents in it, police said.

Anyone with information is asked to call police at 240-773-6237. Those who wish to remain anonymous and qualify for a reward may call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or at 240-773-8477. Crime Solvers will pay up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest and/or indictment. Anonymous tips can also be provided by texting "MCPD" plus the tip to 274637 (CRIMES).