A vandal armed with a spray paint can is being sought by cops for scrawling anti-Semitic images at several spots along a busy Queens street, officials said Saturday.
The bearded suspect, sporting a striped shirt, gray sweat pants, and a black backpack left swastikas and other graffiti in blue paint on electrical boxes, walls, poles, and other spots along Jamaica Ave. near 91st St. in Woodhaven shortly after 12 a.m. on Aug. 14.
Shopkeepers along Jamaica Ave. reported the graffiti to police, who recovered surveillance images of the man walking down the street holding a can of spray paint.
Members of the NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force are investigating the swastika spree, police said.
“The @NYPD102Pct is conducting an investigation to find those responsible, and the graffiti is being removed,” City Councilwoman Joann Ariola said on X. “We must stand united and send a clear message to those who wish to intimidate members of our community: nobody should be afraid to live here because of their race or religion. This kind of hate will not be tolerated.”
Residents of the area noted on social media that the same paint color had been used in other graffiti that wasn’t antisemitic found in the neighborhood over the summer.
Police on Saturday released images of the vandal hoping that someone recognizes him.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
