State police attempt to identify 4 suspects in 'bias' incident in South Blooming Grove
Anyone with information is asked to call state police at 845-782-7574 and reference case # 24*363048.
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State police are asking for the public’s help identifying four suspects wanted in connection to a “bias-related” incident and criminal mischief investigation at a development site in South Blooming Grove.
Authorities say the group were seen on dirt bikes Clove Road near a housing project called “Clovewood” on Wednesday, at approximately 7 p.m. Sources say a swastika was found at the location.
Jewish Federation of Greater Orange County executive director Wendy Cedar says the alleged behavior is unacceptable.
“It’s a matter of blind hatred and that’s a terrible space to live in,” says Cedar.
Resident Chris Maderia says he and other village residents are skeptical about what may have happened.
“It just doesn’t make any sense to me,” says Maderia. “Someone is going to hop over a gated fence to paint a swastika on something that nobody is going to see. It just doesn’t sound like the juice is worth the squeeze.”
The site is the location of a highly controversial housing project that would add 600 homes and use hundreds of thousands of gallons a day during a water crisis in the village.
It’s currently under a state stop work order while the Department of Environmental Conservation reviews the developer’s permit application.
“A swastika has nothing to do with that. that blatantly shows hatred toward a group of people and has nothing to do with housing,” says Cedar.
Just last week, South Blooming Grove leaders announced they’re considering creating a village public safety department.
State police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call them at 845-782-7574 and reference case number 24*363048.
