Van Outside Mosque Apparently Smeared With Dog Feces

An American-Islamic relations group said a van with advertisements about Islam on its exterior parked near a Bellevue mosque was apparently smeared with dog feces.

A Muslim civil rights group, Washington State chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said the owner of the van, which was parked outside the Islamic Center of Eastside, noticed what appeared to be feces smeared on the van's window, windshield and side door handle after he left noon prayers Friday at the mosque.

The vandalism, which may have occurred during the previous night, was reported to local police.

Local Muslims asked Bellevue police and the FBI to consider this a hate crime.

WATCH IT: Local Muslims Want FBI To Consider Vandalism As Hate Crime

Police agree the vandalism is malicious mischief, but said there was no video, witnesses or monetary damage to the van to warrant an investigation into a hate crime.

A police spokeswoman said the crime was reported seven hours after it was discovered.

Bellevue police said they have increased patrols in the area and are seeking more information from the public.

Anyone who knows how the van came to be smeared with feces is asked to contact Bellevue police. Authorities said if they get more information or evidence into the incident they will reopen their investigation.