Suspected Car, Sixth Site, Identified in String of Local Vandalism

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS, NY – Authorities in Yorktown released a photo of a suspected vehicle in a string of vandalism that has now reached six separate sites across the suburb community.   The Yorktown Police Department continue to investigate damage caused as the John C. Hart Memorial Library, First Presbyterian Church, Yorktown Stage, Veterans' Memorial Park and the St. Patrick's Old Stone Church.

Yorktown Supervisor Matt Slater stated, "We will not tolerate these acts nor will we let these actions define our community.  I have full confidence in the Yorktown Police Department, as well as our partners on the county, state and federal levels. We are doing everything possible to bring a swift conclusion to this awful incident.  Yorktown will continue to stand firm against any and all forms of hate."

Yorktown Police Chief Robert Noble said, "We are casting a very wide net.  We have called in any resource we can think of to assist us in our investigation including the Westchester County Police, the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney, the New York State Police and the FBI."

Chief Noble released a photo of a suspected vehicle leaving the John C. Hart Memorial Library.  The Yorktown Police Department is currently working with law enforcement agencies to enhance the photo.

Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino offered his continued support saying, "My office will continue to work closely with Yorktown police in investigating these serious and unsettling acts. Our prosecutors and our crime analysts at the Westchester Intelligence Center will do everything we can to see that this investigation moves swiftly. And we will prosecute whomever committed these heinous crimes to the fullest extent of the law."

The Yorktown Police Department has maintained an increase presence over the weekend throughout the community and will continue with an increased presence at local houses of worship.  Yorktown's Builidng and Maintenance Department, in partnership with Yorktown Glass, have already replaced the glass doors at the Yorktown Stage.  The seventeen panes of glass at the John C. Hart Library are expected to be replaced this week while the library continues to operate.

Yorktown Councilman Tom Diana said, "This is something we will not tolerate.  We do not tolerate racism, we do not tolerate anti-Semitism in this community."

Yorktown Councilman Ed Lachterman stated, "This does not happen in Yorktown.  The results of this will hopefully make sure something like this does not happen again."

Msgr. Giandurco of St. Patrick's Church said, "Our parishoners were both sad and upset of the breaking of our 90 year old windows.  Obviously it could have been a lot worse but we thank God it was only the windows.  We hope that these types of actions cease from happening both here, across the country and around the world."

Rabbi Robbie Weiner of Temple Beth Am said, "I want to thank the Chief and Supervisor for taking this so seriously.  For us, when an attack happens at one of our houses of worship it is an attack on all of our houses of worships.  The interfaith community is very much bonded together and will continue to be united in support of each other."

Pastor Chip Low of the First Presbyterian Church gave thanks to the town leadership and police department.  "We are thankful that this is not a normal occurrence in Yorktown.  We must not respond to this attack in the same way it was done to us."

Pastor Tami Siedel added, "We are so grateful to our police department and town government for their quick reaction.  We continue to pray that all of our faith communities stand together and be a beacon of light and hope."