DUBUQUE, Iowa (AP) — Dubuque police are investigating an apparent cross burning and are treating the incident as a possible hate crime.
Police say Dubuque dispatchers received a report early Wednesday of burning items at the intersection of 22nd and Washington streets, but authorities did not initially find anything in the area.
Police were notified again around 9:30 a.m. of burned objects in the same area. They found what appeared to be two crosses damaged by fire.
Authorities are now investigating the incident as a possible hate crime.
Dubuque Police Chief Mark Dalsing says the crosses were in an area fenced off due to a construction project.
Dalsing says no one has been charged in connection with the incident. Police have notified the U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI.
More information will be provided Thursday.