Three suspects with links to the hate group, Inland Empire, made their first appearances in Mower County Third Judicial District Court Tuesday.

They were arraigned on drug possession and sales charges and returned to the Mower County Jail.

Also Tuesday, the Austin Police Department received three more reports of vandalism connected to the on-going investigation. The former Dakota Joe's restaurant along East Oakland Avenue near the 10th Street Northeast intersection, Papa Murphy's along 1st Avenue Southwest and Sterling Shopping Center buildings were all vandalized, according to police reports.

"This shows an utter lack of respect and no sense of decency for other people,"

Capt. Curt Rude said of the graffiti.

Austin police and Mower County Sheriff's Department officers continue to investigate the alleged hate group's presence in Austin. Another search warrant was executed in Austin Tuesday in connection with the case and at least seven suspects have been jailed.

A Mower County Jail inmate attempted suicide Tuesday

According to Mower County Sheriff Barry J. Simonson, the inmate took a bed sheet with him into a shower shortly after midnight Monday. Other inmates heard a noise and discovered the man had apparently strung the sheet on a shower rod, stepped on a toilet and then stepped off the toilet with the sheet tied around his neck.

He was revived and taken to Austin Medical Center by a Gold Cross Ambulance Service crew, treated and released.

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at :mailto:lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.