MESA, Ariz. -- Graffiti vandals hit a building in Mesa but the taggers had a message of hate aimed at Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

The graffiti depicted the sheriff's face with the words "Nazi Joe" above it and also the word "VooDoo."

Pictures of the graffiti were taken Monday morning by workers at a business in the area.

The graffiti was found in at least eight different spots near West Main Street, authorities said.

Workers with the city of Mesa were made aware of the graffiti and were out by the lunch hour painting over it.

CBS 5 News contacted the Mesa Police Department to see if the act was reported and whether it be investigated as a hate crime against the sheriff. Detective Chris Arvayo said the city often goes out and covers up graffiti before it's even reported to them. he said the department is not investigating the incident.

"Graffiti is a crime," Arpaio said in a statement. "It is offensive to the citizens of Mesa and the city of Mesa should do something about this."