The Ithaca Police Department say a suspect is in custody after an extensive hate crime investigation connected to anti-Semitic vandalism in the city last week.
On October 20th IPD received a complaint of criminal mischief at a local business. Investigators found that an anti-Semitic slur was written on a sign. Additional investigation determined that the business owner was targeted.
In the following days, IPD received several other reports of anti-Semitic activity including Anti-Semitic posters being put up in public locations, anti-Semitic graffiti/vandalism, as well as a second business that was vandalized based on the owner’s religion.
On Tuesday investigators were able to identify a suspect on those incidents, which resulted in a search warrant being obtained.
That search yielded a variety of alarming evidence, according to police, which included hate posters, numerous items consistent with explosives like fuse wire, caps, a timer, tubing, and an undisclosed amount of a powdered chemical.
Additionally, the investigation yielded the recovery of rifle parts at a separate location.
IPD says New York State Police and ATF have been assisting with the investigation.
Chief Dennis Nayor applauded the work of investigators, officers, and partner agencies, noting that his office would have no tolerance for any acts of targeted hatred or bigotry. “We at the Ithaca Police Department will always put all our resources and energies towards addressing such incidents and as a result were able to quickly identify the person involved and prevent any further criminal acts from occurring,” Nayor said.
The investigation remains active, and while the suspect was not identified – Nayor said in a press release that charges would be filed soon.
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