City police have made an arrest in connection with a string of hate graffiti found this week in downtown Schenectady, police said Friday.
Gabriel N. Mims, 28, of Schenectady, was charged with four counts of first-degree aggravated harassment, felonies.
Mims is accused of drawing swastikas and other symbols on downtown buildings Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning using chalk, police said.
The investigation began just before 10:30 p.m. Tuesday as police received a call for swastikas drawn on the side of St. Joseph’s Church at Lafayette and State streets.
Further investigation uncovered swastikas and other symbols drawn on the side of buildings throughout downtown, at least 14 instances, police have said.
The watchdog organization StopAntisemitsim tweeted of the arrest Friday afternoon.
Schenectady Police announce the arrest of Gabriel Mims in connection to a string of swastika graffiti tags found in the city this week.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) June 17, 2022
Mims, 28, was charged with four counts of first-degree aggravated harassment, all felonies.
More: https://t.co/3q9Q1zKmkS pic.twitter.com/PK2zjRsyPH
Police processed the scenes and the Schenectady Fire Department assisted in removing the markings.
Police included in their investigation reviews of street surveillance cameras, as well as business cameras, police have said.
“We thank the the local businesses for their assistance in the investigation, and Schenectady’s Clergy Against Hate for their community guidance and support,” police said in a release.