Teens charged with damaging South Florida mosque
MIAMI (AP) -- Two teenagers have been charged with damaging a South Florida mosque.
According to the Miami-Dade Police Department, investigators believe Michael Derek Lobo and Juan Carlos Gonzalez-Vaca smashed windows at the Islamic School of Miami in June. Authorities say a van's tires were also slashed.
Investigators believe the pair targeted the location because it is a Muslim place of worship.
Lobo and Gonzalez-Vaca, who are both 17, have each been charged with criminal mischief to a mosque, evidencing prejudice while committing an offense and wearing mask while committing an offense.
Miami-Dade County juvenile assessment center spokeswoman Gladys Negron-Soto declined to release any additional details on the case, including whether the teens had posted bond.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
