Police: Church damage may be hate crimes Police: Siblings extort men over orientation

CROWLEY, La. — Local police in Louisiana say a string of church vandalisms are being considered hate crimes and they are getting federal authorities involved.

News outlets report five churches have been vandalized the same way in the last four months— a heavy object being thrown at a glass door or window at night.

Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard says the department believes these are hate crimes because vandals are targeting churches and these churches are in a predominantly African American community. Three of the churches are historically black.

Broussard says he cannot confirm whether the vandalism is racially motivated but the department is taking this seriously in the wake of recent arson attacks against several historically black

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Authorities in Alabama say two siblings blackmailed and extorted several victims by threatening to reveal their sexual orientation, even calling in bomb threats to their job and church.

News outlets report 25-yearold Jvell Hurt and 23-year-old Whitney Hurt were arrested and charged with extortion and making terroristic threats.

Court records say a victim told police that Jvell Hurt threatened to distribute private photos of him and demanded $2,100 or Hurt would “end him.” Records say both Jvell and Whitney Hurt called in bomb threats to one victim’s church and the University of Alabama School of Nursing, where another victim worked.