A Dorval mosque that has been plagued by vandalism in the past had two windows and several doors broken during an overnight break-in on Monday. “I’m not sure if it was thieves or vandals,” said Mehmet Deger, president of the Dorval Mosque. “But it’s very upsetting to our members when it happens.”
He said the culprits broke in through a fire exit door and stole a computer. But they also used some kind of slingshot to fire steel bolts through a couple of windows, including a large picture window. “This is very frustrating,” said Deger, who was collecting estimates on the cost of the repairs.
In 2009, the mosque was vandalized four times, usually with graffiti painted on walls. The last time it was vandalized was in September 2009. At the time, Deger invited the culprits to talk to leaders of the mosque rather than using a can of spray paint to communicate. And he said there have been no incidents since that time.
The mosque has about 2,000 members and has been operating since 1994. It is located at the corner of Neptune Blvd. and Nightingale Ave.
Deger said the mosque’s video surveillance showed two men had been responsible for the break-in this week. “These guys are a danger to the public,” he said.