Cops: Teens post swastikas around Bellmore Village

Nassau County Police are seeking three white males, believed to be between the ages of 15 and 16 years old, for an incident of aggravated harassment, Detective Lt. Kevin Smith said at a news conference Monday afternoon. A business owner on Bedford Avenue witnessed the teens posting stickers supporting white supremacy around Bellmore Village over the weekend.

The business owner spotted the stickers as he was walking his dog around 6:40 on Sunday evening. He observed what he described as the youngest of the group place a sticker on a Chamber of Commerce sign in front of Jimmy Jacks restaurant, Smith said. The witness called out to the teens and “said something to the effect of, What are you doing, defacing my town?” Smith added. The teens continued walking south on Bedford Avenue.

The witness called police, and the three index card-sized stickers were removed. One sticker had the symbol of a swastika on it, and the others read, “White Pride” and “Don’t blame me, I voted for Hitler.”

Smith said this is the third incident in which Bellmore residents have reported finding such stickers since early October. Smith noted that he does not think there is a white supremacy group in the neighborhood. Rather, the teens likely bought the stickers on white supremacy websites. If found and convicted, the suspects would be charged with aggravated assault. “It’s a pretty hefty charge,” Smith said. The teens could face up to a year in prison.

Detectives ask anyone with information regarding this crime to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous.

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