KKK robe brought to African American-owned store

REDMOND, WA (KTRK) -- A hate crime investigation is underway after a Klu Klux Klan robe was found stuffed into a bag of clothing brought to an African American-owned consignment store in Washington state.

The owner of Rags to Riches, Leona Coakley-Spring, cried while she spoke with local station KCPQ about the discovery. She said, "I didn't know what to do or what to say. It was just so horrifying."

Coakley-Spring told KCPQ she believes the robe is a threat to her as a black business owner.

She said, "I can't change the way I look. But it makes me feel like I'm not good enough. And that's a bad feeling to have, that you're not good enough."

Coakley-Spring and her son called police who say they are investigating. A sketch has been released of the suspect.

Though Coakley-Spring considered closing the store, her son Shane Coakley tells KCPQ he's convinced her to stay open. He said, "If we close the store, they would win and I don't want to give them any satisfaction."