Vandal scrawls swastikas on Bronx autism school as hate crimes against Jews continue to spike
A vandal drew swastikas and the letter “K” multiple times on a Bronx school for autistic students, police said Wednesday.
The defacement comes as hate crimes against Jews in the city continue to spike as the ongoing Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza continues.
The scrawler was caught on surveillance camera walking up to the Autism Care Partners building on Jerome Ave. near E. 181st St. in University Heights at about 5 a.m. on Oct. 26.
He was spotted pulling out a small marker and writing on a door before walking off.
No arrests have been made.
In the weeks after the war in Gaza began, bias attacks against Jews in the city jumped by 214% from 22 in October 2022 to 69 last month, officials said.
The incidents ranged from vandalism at local synagogues to assaults. On Monday, cops announced the arrest of two women for beating up a Jewish woman who confronted them on a Manhattan street for ripping down posters of hostages held by Hamas.
Cops on Wednesday released surveillance images of the suspect wanted for vandalizing the autistic school. The suspect is described as white with gray hair and in his 50s.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
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