Police in a suburb northwest of Chicago are investigating what they’re calling possible hate crimes at a Home Depot store set to open next month.

Chicago Public Radio’s Chip Mitchell reports.

**

South Elgin Police Chief Chris Merritt says someone inside the store sprayed the N-word in white paint across a desktop this week. He says the police are also looking into allegations that a noose appeared above the workspace of an African American construction worker.

The store’s general contractor is Michigan-based FH Martin Constructors. The contractor’s site superintendent declined to answer questions and referred us to Home Depot headquarters in Georgia.

A Home Depot spokeswoman says a company policy against discrimination applies to contractors. She says Home Depot has begun an investigation of its own.

I’m Chip Mitchell, Chicago Public Radio.