☑️A man was charged after swastikas and SS symbols were found in Asbury Park

☑️One of the targeted buildings houses Mercy Center led by former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno

☑️ The 29-year-old suspect faces four counts of bias intimidation & criminal mischief.


 

ASBURY PARK — A Point Pleasant man was charged with spray-painting Nazi symbols on several buildings at the Jersey Shore.

Swastikas and green "SS" lightning bolts were found painted on the building of the Mercy Center on Main Street in Asbury Park and a 7-Eleven store. Mercy Center is the social services agency led by former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

Austin Gaekler, 29, of Point Pleasant was charged with four counts of bias intimidation and criminal mischief. He is being held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution.

Former Lt. Gov condemns antisemitism after Asbury Park vandalism

The former Republican politician posted surveillance video of the person she says is responsible on her Facebook page.

“There is no place for hatred, intimidation, or antisemitism in our community. While we will allow law enforcement to determine the motive behind this act, we condemn it unequivocally,” Guadagno said in a statement to NJ.com after the incident.

The Asbury Park Press was first to report Gaekler's arrest.

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