Teens arrested for throwing lemons

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HAYWARD, Calif., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- Four teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of vandalism for allegedly throwing lemons at a Hayward, Calif., mosque, police say.

Around 10 a.m. last Friday, congregants were gathered at the American Muslim Association for Ramadan prayer when the four teens allegedly pelted the building with lemons and ran. The (Hayward) Daily Review reported at least one person was hit in the arm.

Police said the teens were between the ages of 13 and 16. They were arrested on suspicion of vandalism and a hate crime for "interfering with the civil rights of those attending the mosque," said Hayward Police Lt. Roger Keener.

"While we are hopeful this is an isolated incident and not bias-motivated, we are of course concerned in light of all the recent acts of vandalism and violence targeting Muslim and Sikh houses of worship," said Zahra Billoo, spokeswoman for the Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

It was the fourth time the mosque had been targeted in the past eight months.