Authorities seek vandal targeting flagpoles and threatening more vandalism

Three flag poles have been found sawed in half within days: the first at a 9/11 memorial in Washingtonville, another at a shopping plaza in New Windsor and the latest at a Jewish cemetery in New Windsor.

News 12 Staff

Jul 16, 2020, 9:40 PM

Updated 1,554 days ago

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Authorities are searching for an anti-American vandal accused of four acts of vandalism and threatening more.
Three flag poles have been found sawed in half within days: the first at a 9/11 memorial in Washingtonville, another at a shopping plaza in New Windsor and the latest at a Jewish cemetery in New Windsor.
A sign at St. Mary’s Parish in Washingtonville was also knocked down on the same night that the flag was sawed down. A piece of the memorial’s flag was found on the scene, which ultimately enabled police to link the crimes.
Officials suspect the same person is responsible for all of the incidents and say they left behind threats to carry out more, citing the latest pole as three out of 10.
The local vandalism is making national headlines as Donald Trump Jr. tweeted about it, calling the acts of hate "truly disgusting" and a "radical agenda."
In the Hudson Valley, the incidents are sparking outrage in Washingtonville where five members of the community and FDNY lost their lives on 9/11.
“A week or so ago, this site was desecrated in a depraved act of hate and evil, in a series of attacks that included the vandalization of a local Catholic Parish property as well,’ says state Assemblyman Colin Schmitt.
A suspect has not been found, but cameras have been donated at the 9/11 memorial to deter whoever is responsible from returning.