United States

Jewish Center Vandalized For the 2nd Time in 18 Months

A Jewish community center in Virginia has been vandalized with swastikas for the second time in 18 months.

Staff at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia discovered the swastikas early Saturday on exterior walls of the building on Little River Turnpike in Annandale.

David Yaffe, president of the center's board of directors, said they were shocked in 2017. This time they're "profoundly disappointed."

Fairfax County police said surveillance video shows a suspect spray painting at about 4:30 a.m. The suspect was wearing dark clothing and a mask.

In 2017, a 20-year-old was charged with hate-related offenses after police said he defaced the center, a church and a community college with anti-Semitic graffiti.

The Anti-Defamation League reported 1,986 anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. in 2017, a nearly 60 percent increase from 2016.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 703-256-8035.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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