Teen arrested in anti-Jewish vandalism

A teenager wanted for spray-painting anti-Semitic graffiti on several Jewish locations in Calgary has been arrested in Winnipeg.

The teen, 18, cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because the alleged offences were committed when he was 17.

He was arrested on Thursday evening in Winnipeg and is awaiting a transfer back to Calgary, said police on Friday.

Police issued Canada-wide warrants for the man on Wednesday. He will be charged with mischief to property, as well as hate-related charges of mischief to a place of religious worship motivated by hate, and inciting public hatred.

Calgary police Chief Rick Hanson said authorities takethat type of vandalism seriously.

"We don't tolerate hate crimes in Calgary.It's as simple as that," he said on Friday. "You start getting into that kind of nonsense, you can trust we're going to go after you.We're very appreciative of the attorney general in approving those charges.They're the first time those charges have been laid in Calgary."

Several anti-Semitic slogans and signs were spray-painted on three Jewish centres, including a Holocaust memorial, and nearby property in the southwest communities of Pump Hill and Woodbine in November 2009.