Clayton car fires believed to be hate crime: Police

Editor's Note: The attached video is from an earlier report.

CLAYTON, Mo. – A series of overnight car fires in a Clayton neighborhood are now being investigated as a hate crime.

According to Cp. Jenny Schwartz, a spokeswoman for the Clayton Police Department, the fires happened just after 3 a.m. in the 7500 block of Westmoreland Avenue, near North Hanley Road.

Two of the vehicles, a Mazda and a minivan, were parked along the street, while the third, a Toyota Highlander, was in the driveway of a home. The fires are believed to have been intentionally set.

Schwartz said police found antisemitic graffiti in the roadway. Investigators suspect the victim was specifically targeted.

Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew released a statement to FOX 2 regarding the incident:

"We will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or violence based on someone’s nationality, race, religion, or ideology. In Clayton, we are committed to fostering a community where every resident feels safe, valued, and welcome. This is not just an aspiration—it is our responsibility as neighbors and as citizens. As such, I call upon all Clayton residents to join me in embracing the principles of respect, understanding, and inclusion that define who we are as a community," McAndrew said.

The Clayton Police Department requested the assistance of the FBI and the St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit.

Anyone with information on the incident is advised to contact the Clayton Police Department Detective Bureau at 314-290-8414.