Elkhart-area auto lot 'tagged' ... but why?

June 08, 2012|By John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com), Click here to follow John on Twitter | By John Paul (jpaul@wsbt.com), Click here to follow John on Twitter

ELKHART COUNTY — Business owner Jesus Hernandez-Garcia’s not sure why he was a target of gang graffiti.

Wednesday morning, police told him he needed to go to his car lot as soon as possible in the 58000 block of Riley Avenue.

When Garcia arrived, he saw 17 cars tagged with "sur13."

Vandals also stole his computer, tools and a 2000 Ford F-150 truck. "I'm not sure why this happened," Garcia told WSBT's John Paul.

What exactly is SUR13?

Police say the acronym is short for Suranos … a gang with affiliations not just in Elkhart city and county … but all over America.

Suranos is Spanish for “southerners”

Garcia and a friend spent hours cleaning off the spray paint on customer's cars. WSBT'S videographer captured video after Garcia washed graffiti off a Saturn SUV. Spray paint markings were still visible near the wheels and on the door.

No arrests yet, say Elkhart County police.

Anyone with information should call the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Department at 574-891-2100.

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