James O'Rourke

jorourke@lohud.com





PEARL RIVER – Racist and anti-Semitic graffiti left at a North Lincoln Street home over the weekend is now being investigated as a hate crime, a town official said Tuesday.

Two cars and property owned by the Bernasconi family were spray painted with swastikas, swear words and white supremacist slogans between 11 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday.

Orangetown police detectives are looking for suspects.

In a message to residents Tuesday, Orangetown Supervisor Andy Stewart said the incident is being investigated by town police detectives as a case of "criminal mischief as a hate crime."

He said police also are conducting extra patrols in the North Lincoln Street area and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in Rockland and New Jersey.

"These acts of racially motivated violence are appalling," Stewart wrote. "No family in our town should have to deal with this sort of crime."

The damaged cars — one of which also had three slashed tires — belong to Steve Bernasconi and Barbara Gross Bernasconi, local real estate agents who have lived in the county for decades.

Robyn Bernasconi, the couple's daughter, said the family has received an outpouring of support in recent days.

"Many people in our community have reached out, and we appreciate the support," she said. "Our family would just like some peace of mind — to know that if these people are caught, they will face consequences."

Orangetown Police Chief Kevin Nulty confirmed Tuesday that detectives are investigating the incident at the Bernasconi home as a hate crime.

He said police have been following up on leads but do not have a suspect.

"The swastika is a visible symbol of hate in our society — a symbol of anti-Semitism and of hatred of people of color," Nulty said. "We want people to know that we are just as outraged as anyone that this would occur in our community."

Stewart said he is confident that arrests will be made and that the suspect or suspects will be charged "to the fullest extent of the law."

Anyone with information is urged to call police at 845-359-3700.

@JORourkeT800