15-Year-Old Arrested For The 'Disturbing' Graffiti At Parks: Police

YORKTOWN, NY — Police have arrested a suspect connected to hateful vandalism at local parks.

The Yorktown Police Department says that a 15-year-old Yorktown resident has been arrested and charged with juvenile deliquency, with the underlying charges of felony second-degree hate crime/criminal mischief, felony third-degree criminal mischief, and two misdemeanor counts of making graffiti.

SEE ALSO: 'Disturbing' Graffiti Found At 2 Yorktown Parks

On Sunday, at 9:09 a.m., Yorktown police received a report of graffiti in Patriot Skate Park which included antisemitic, racist and homophobic words. A second call was then received about graffiti located on the track at the Jack A. Devito Memorial Park, where officers found profane images and words.

The total damage to the town-owned properties was estimated at $2,300.00. Employees from the Yorktown Parks and Recreations Department covered up the graffiti at both scenes once police were done investigating.

An investigation by the Yorktown Police Department quickly identified a suspect.

"The vile hate speech discovered in our town is utterly unacceptable and stands in direct opposition to everything Yorktown represents," Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman said at a press conference earlier this week. "We are a community that cherishes all diversity, a sentiment clearly demonstrated through events like our recent Holocaust Remembrance Ceremony and our annual Pride Festival. This incident serves as a stark reminder that our work to foster understanding and respect is far from over. These hateful acts will not be tolerated in Yorktown. We must continue to actively practice understanding and reject these divisive acts."

The teen responded to the Yorktown Police Department on Thursday with a parent and was arrested for the charges.

After being processed on the juvenile delinquency charge, the teen was released to a parent, and is scheduled to appear in the Westchester County Department of Probation on June 5.