Angry Customer Investigated in Cross Burning at Auto Shop

A burning cross was left in front of a Hawthorne auto shop early Thursday, and police said they were handling the incident as a possible hate crime.

The cross, propped up against a chain-link fence in front of Open Road Automotive at 3649 W. 139th St., was seen by two police officers shortly before 5 a.m. Fire units were dispatched to douse the flames, and no damage was reported.

In the course of their investigation, Hawthorne police learned that on Wednesday an angry customer grabbed a mechanic and threatened him with a pipe. The mechanic, who is black, filed a complaint that day with police but they were unable to locate the man.

After the cross burning, police found the customer, who is white, at his home. He was arrested on assault charges, and police say they are investigating whether he was connected with the cross burning.

Under a new California law, a cross burning is considered a hate crime.