Man Charged With Writing Swastikas In Asbury Park

ASBURY PARK, NJ — A Point Pleasant man was arrested and is charged with spray painting swastikas on the Mercy Center earlier this month, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Austin Gaekler, 29, is charged with four counts each of criminal mischief and bias intimidation, they reported.

Graffiti of swastikas was found in three different places in Asbury Park during the week of Aug. 3.

The first graffiti markings were found Tuesday afternoon at the Mercy Center, located at 901 Main Street. He spray painted a swastika and lightning bolts on the side of the building.

The Mercy Center helps the homeless in Asbury Park.

The same graffiti (swastika and lightning bolts) were found a day later, Wednesday, on the side of the 7-11 convenience store on Main Street. A third tag with those same markings was also found Wednesday on an electrical panel box in the area of Fourth Avenue and Memorial Drive.

The graffiti is being investigated as bias incidents, said the Asbury Park Police Department.

Swastika Graffiti Found In 3 Different Places In Asbury Park