Vandal arrested for spraying swastikas in Elmhurst

A 41-year old was charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime for allegedly spray painting swastikas around Elmhurst last month. Photo via 110th Precinct/Twitter

By Rachel Vick

A 41-year-old Elmhurst resident was arrested and arraigned for allegedly defacing several local properties with swastikas, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced over the weekend

Kristoffer Bahamonde was charged with criminal mischief as a hate crime, harassment and making graffiti and possession of graffiti instruments for spray painting swastikas at the end of May.

“The defendant allegedly used symbols of hate to deface property and intimidate members of our shared community,” Katz said. “In Queens County, we stand together against hatred directed toward any group. This defendant’s alleged actions do not reflect our values or who we are.”

Temporary fences surrounding a construction site on 54th Avenue and on 90th Street, and a grocery store on Broadway were hit with the Nazi symbol and “110.” The phrase “today I will never do time” was also painted on the side of the grocery store.

Bahamonde faces between 1 1/3 to 4 years in prison if convicted and will return to court on June 8.

Though the graffiti was similar and in close proximity to last week’s vandalism of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, there is no official word on whether they are connected, according to the DA.

Swastikas, “110” and the phrase “baby killers” were sprayed in red and white on the containing wall and floor of the memorial.

Councilmember Bob Holden said he was “deeply disgusted” by the vandalism and announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the vandal.

The investigation is ongoing.