Swastika Etched In Train Station Glass Elevator Leads To Hate Crime Indictment Against Mount Vernon Man: DA

MOUNT VERNON, NY — An especially disturbing act of vandalism is being prosecuted as a hate crime.

Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced on Friday that 28-year-old Oscar Islas Sanchez, of Mount Vernon, was arraigned on Thursday on a four-count indictment charging him with felony second-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime; felony second-degree criminal mischief; felony first-degree aggravated harassment; and misdemeanor making graffiti.

Islas Sanchez's charges stem from a March 18, incident where he stands accused of using a knife to etch a swastika into the glass inside an elevator at the Mount Vernon East Train Station, causing more than $1500 in damage.

He was arraigned by a judge and released on his own recognizance.

"The recent rise in antisemitism across our nation is alarming and unacceptable," DA Cacace said. "This indictment should serve as notice that this despicable behavior will not be tolerated in Westchester in any way, shape, or form. Combatting hate crimes will always be a top priority for our office."

The incident was investigated by the Metropolitan Transit Authority Police Department, and is being prosecuted by ADA Luis Felix of the Hate Crimes Bureau.