CLAYTON, Mo. - Officials from the Clayton Police Department (CPD) say multiple cars were set on fire and vandalized with hateful graffiti in the 7500 block of Westmore Avenue, near North Hanley Road, on Tuesday morning.

Investigators are now treating the incident as a hate crime and are working with federal partners to find answers.

"It's terrible and I hope they find them," said one resident, Clare Phelan.

Police say three vehicles (two parked along the street and one on a private driveway) caught on fire around 3 a.m. One neighbor recounted the event with FOX 2.

"I woke up to my dog going crazy and just heard people yelling some loud noises," said Lucy Shelly. "And then the fire truck showed up and could hear the hoses and sirens."

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