Vandergrift, Pa. (KDKA) – An Avonmore man faces charges of vandalism and ethnic intimidation after police say he spray-painted ethnic slurs and vulgar images on a Vandergrift street .

Investigators say the 20-year-old suspect was on his way to his girlfriend’s home when he decided to spray graphic and racist graffiti on the sidewalk.

The sidewalk on the 300 block of Lowell Street is clear now, but Gabriella Moore vividly remembers what she says was spray-painted on the street and on the sidewalk right outside her Vandergrift home.

“It happened a few weeks ago when I came home from the hospital,” Moore said.

And what Moore says, the images depicted were enough to make her sick.

“It was nasty stuff for me,” Moore said. “And I have kids too and they don’t need to see that.”

Vandergrift Police have charged 20-year-old Edward Lewis Charlesworth III of Avonmore with ethnic intimidation, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.

“I don’t know why anyone would put the n-word right there, that’s racist,” Moore said.

She said it took a few days to come off and was on the road for about a week.

According to what witnesses told police, Charlesworth committed the alleged vandalism while visiting his girlfriend, who lives on Lowell Street. KDKA reached out to Charlesworth to get his side, but he has yet to respond. Court records say the 20-year-old denied the allegations.

Moore says there are African Americans living on the streets and in the area and they shouldn’t have to see what’s been spray painted and all of this could cause some to paint those who live. in the street with an unfair but wide brush.

“They probably think we’re all racists on this street,” she said.

Charlesworth remains free pending his preliminary hearing on October 11.