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Arrest made after Nazi symbols found on Roanoke Valley couple’s vehicle

Roanoke Police charged Shannon Cox, 21, with property damage

ROANOKE, Va. – Roanoke Police say they made an arrest in connection to an alleged incident at Sam’s Club where a couple reported Nazi symbols were scrawled on lug nuts while their tires were being rotated.

Police say 21-year-old Shannon Cox, of Salem, was arrested Tuesday afternoon in connection to this incident. He is charged with one count of property damage.

10 News followed up with the couple after the arrest.

‘I’m glad that’s somebody’s going to be held accountable, because people don’t need to get away with stuff like this, because this could really, really be hurtful to someone," said the woman who reported the incident.

RPD says they are investigating the offense as potentially being motivated by hate or bias. The couple allegedly targeted is interracial.

John Fishwick is a former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Virginia and is now in private practice.

He told 10 News a hate crime charge would depend on a number of factors and is usually used as a way to enhance the punishment for a defendent in a case.

“They’ll look at the actual crime itself, you know, what was done with a swastika, what the person may have said, what their history may have been, what others saw and learned, so they’ll be a complete investigation,” Fishwick said. “There are a number of, you know, unfortunate things that happen in this world that are hateful ... but there’s got to be a very precise intent for a prosecutor to bring a hate crime in Virginia.”

But the couple said their mind is made up.

“There’s no way that it can be spinned, whatever his charges are, it doesn’t matter,” the woman said. “The real meaning behind this is a hate crime, no matter what, because those symbols mean hate.”

Cox has been released from jail and is set to be in court next month. !0 News called a number connected with Cox and the person who answered said they “have no comment at this time.”

This is a developing story. Stay with 10 News for updates.


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