The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is now working with federal law enforcement agencies to investigate vandalism at a Hindu temple in Chino Hills as a hate crime, the department announced on Monday.

The vandalism, which was reported Saturday involved spray-painted messages on a marble sign, brick wall and sidewalk at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir temple. The temple had previously referred to the vandalism as a hate crime.

On Monday, the SBSD reported that the crime occurred around 11:15 p.m. Friday and that the department believes two individuals were involved.

The explicit messages, described as “political” by the sheriff’s department, were shown in images from surveillance footage. One was critical of India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi; another referenced Hindustan, a historical name for the northern area of India and muradabad, a word meaning “death to.” Images of surveillance footage included in a news release from the temple showed two individuals dressed in dark clothing spraying the ground.

BAPS volunteers mostly removed the spray paint on Saturday, a representative of the temple said.

“Given the large number of visitors, including children, who come to the temple on weekends, BAPS volunteers have already removed most of the offensive messages,” the temple stated.

The SBSD listed the estimated cost of repairs at $15,000.

In response to the vandalism, the temple hosted a prayer and call for peace event Sunday where members of the temple community were joined by local, state and federal officials, clergy from various faiths and members of other Hindu mandirs across Southern California. A representative from the temple expressed approval of the vandalism being classified by authorities as a hate crime.

“Although this entire situation is unfortunate, BAPS is relieved that this incident is being given the attention and designation it deserves,” Mehul Patel, a volunteer with BAPS, said. “Although the method was vandalism, this was way more than that. This was a hate crime at its core and together we must rise above this rhetoric and these acts of hate. BAPS continues to call for unity and offers prayers for peace in not only our community but for those who have committed these abhorrent acts.”

Politicians representing California spoke out against the vandalism on social media and the mayor of Chino Hills, Art Bennett, joined in condemning the act.

“This temple is not just a place of worship, it is a cherished place in our community home to our friends, neighbors, and families who contribute so much to Chino Hills and beyond. There is no place for hate in Chino Hills. We are a city that celebrates, embraces, and welcomes people of all faiths and backgrounds, and are committed to being a City where everyone feels safe and respected,” Bennett said in a statement.

In a news release regarding the vandalism, the temple referenced other acts of vandalism found at other Hindu mandirs, in California in Sacramento, and elsewhere in the United States in Long Island, New York.

The sheriff’s department asks anyone with information to contact them at 909-364-2000 or anonymously call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com