Johana Restrepo, and Diego Mendoza-Moyers

The Republic | azcentral.com

Four people have been arrested on suspicion of contorting a Chandler family's decorative light-up menorah into a swastika in December.

Chandler police responded early on Dec. 30 after Naomi and Seth Ellis said they woke up to find a menorah, which they had placed in their front yard, disfigured overnight into the shape of a swastika.

Seth Ellis, who works in construction, had built the 8-foot-tall menorah out of PVC pipe. Ellis' children had seen Christmas displays and had asked their father if they could have a display to celebrate their Jewish faith.

One of the suspects was identified by Chandler police as 19-year-old Clive Jamar Wilson. The other three suspects are male juveniles, according to Sgt. Daniel Mejia, Chandler police spokesman.

All four were arrested on suspicion of first-degree criminal trespass and aggravated criminal damage.

A Facebook post by Naomi Ellis detailing the incident went viral, and the family received an outpouring of public support.

After police removed the disfigured menorah from the front yard, Seth Ellis rebuilt the menorah and the family held a relighting ceremony for the community days later at their home in the 4600 block of West Boston Street.

About 100 people showed up to show support for the Ellis family while they relit the menorah.

All four of those arrested in the case have been released pending the submittal of charges to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, Mejia said in a statement.

Detectives were still investigating, Mejia said.

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