Homeowners baffled by cross burned between houses

CHICAGO (WLS) -- A pair of homeowners in Chicago's Portage Park neighborhood are baffled by a crudely made cross that was stuck in the ground between their houses and burned.

The two pieces of wood were crudely nailed together into the shape of a cross and stuck in the ground in the parkway between two houses. One of the homeowners says it was burnt and smelled of gasoline.

"And not only is it not acceptable in this ward, it's not acceptable anywhere in the city. If we do find that there's some intended hate, then hopefully they get the severest penalty the law can hand down on them," said 38th Ward Alderman Nick Sposato.

Burning crosses in a yard is often considered a hate crime, typically against African Americans. And while there are African Americans living on that street, the homeowners immediately in front of the parkway are both white.

Neither of the homeowners wanted to speak on camera, but both say the act made no sense and they are not particularly worried.

"I'm thinking it's probably a prank. Still not acceptable," Ald. Sposato says.

Police are investigating.