An elderly couple in Dos Vientos woke up to a terrible fright earlier this month.

The Jewish couple discovered someone had vandalized the front of their home with swastikas and profanity.

Police are asking for help in finding out who vandalized the home between 8 p.m. July 2 and 7 a.m. July 3 in the 600 block of Camino Del Lago.

“The victims have no idea who would do such a thing to them,” said Thousand Oaks Police Detective Eric Buschow.

So far there are no witnesses or suspects for the hate crime, he said.

“We need to hear from the public,” Buschow said.

A swastika was drawn on the garage with mustard, and eggs were thrown at the garage and bologna stuck to it.

Another swastika was spray painted in the yard with white paint, along with profane words.

After it became a symbol for the Nazi party, the swastika has been considered a symbol of hate and anti-Semitism.

“We are concerned about this incident and why they’d be targeted,” Buschow said.

There was another hate crime committed near California Lutheran University a few months ago, but the detective doesn’t see it as a trend in Thousand Oaks.

Vandalism alone is a misdemeanor, but the hate-crime aspect adds enhancements to the penalty, he said.

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against those responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call isn’t recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

—Nancy Needham