Suspect sought after antisemitic graffiti found on Delaware County bank

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. (WPVI) -- Police in Delaware County are searching for a suspect caught on surveillance graffitiing hate speech on the side of a bank.

Springfield police say the antisemitic graffiti was found Tuesday morning on the exterior of a Wells Fargo Bank on Baltimore Pike and East Thomson Avenue.

Employees discovered the vandalism when they arrived for work and reported symbols and phrases spray-painted on the building.

According to Andrew Goretsky, senior regional director for the Anti-Defamation League, "we know he utilized a swastika as well as a Jewish star crossed out."

Goretsky said the nature of the graffiti was especially troubling.

"This rhetoric is antisemitic and, combined with classical white supremacy rhetoric, sends a very dangerous message to the local community," he said.

Springfield police said the graffiti has since been cleaned off, but the investigation remains active.

While surveillance images of the suspect are not clear, Lt. Dave DiTrolio said the wording itself may provide important clues.

"The words that were written were distinctive in the spelling and the shape of the words," he said. "It appears at this point that he comes from the area of Thomson. So again, we would ask the public to review their camera footage around that area."

The ADL said the incident comes amid a recent rise in antisemitic acts in the greater Philadelphia region and urged residents to help combat hate.

"The reality here is we need members of the community to be speaking out against this form of hate, antisemitism, and all forms of hate," Goretsky said.

Local residents expressed shock about the vandalism.

"That's surprising, so close to home," said Springfield resident Greg Hopkins.

Another neighbor, Larry Oliveri of Glenolden, called it "just unbelievable that people have this much hatred."

Police said that if the suspect is identified, he will face several charges, including ethnic intimidation.