UPDATE:

Muslim group offers reward after racial slur, swastikas found on vehicle

VIENNA TWP, MI -- A racial slur, swastikas and "wite pride" were spray-painted on a black man's pickup in northern Genesee County early Tuesday morning.

A neighbor driving along West Farrand Road knocked on Hubert Roberts' door and told him of the vandalism, which also included four slashed tires.

"I'm black," Roberts said. "I'm in a predominantly white community. I'm very angry. I'm disappointed with us as a community."

Roberts, 62, said they've lived there for 15 years and have never had anything like this happen before.

He was working on his motorcycle until 2 a.m. and then went to bed. The neighbor woke Roberts up around 7 a.m. and he called the police. He also asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

"It's of concern," said Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell. "I've assigned a detective to investigate."

Numerous vehicles driving by and their drivers stopped and apologized to Roberts, hugging him and telling him that's not what the neighborhood stands for.

Roberts said he has protested and carried signs, including against President Donald Trump.

A Michigan State University professor in 2016 released a documentary about Roberts detailing his rise from ex-con to mentor and black history educator in the film "Hubert: His Story," according to the university.

Roberts also had the words "Black Lives Matter" and "Black Panthers" on his truck.

"I am exercising a mindset to help start a conversation," he said. "I do a lot of protesting."

But for people to come onto his property and commit such a hateful act is taking things a step too far, Roberts said.

"I'm very hurt," Roberts said. "For them to take the steps to this is very bold."

Clio schools Superintendent Fletcher Spears is a neighbor to Roberts.

"It's reprehensible," he said. "Our neighbors are absolutely wonderful people."

Spears put the school district's high school principal on alert about the incident in case any students were involved.

"We certainly hope that no one in Clio is involved," he said. "We need to find out who did this and they certainly need to be held accountable for their actions."

Roberts said he is not scared for his safety but does have a message for the perpetrators.

"I'm committed to dying for what's right," he said. "I would ask them, let's talk to one another. You don't have to be a coward and do something like this to my home."

The tires cost $1,000 and the chrome work alone cost $1,500, according to Roberts. He said he doesn't know how much it will cost to repaint his 2011 Chevrolet Silverado.

"I don't want to sound like a victim," Roberts said. "I would really hope this could be picked up by the national media because this is another example of hatred toward a person for nothing more than being black."