Graffiti in Mount Sinai investigated by Suffolk hate crimes unit, police say

Suffolk County Police Hate Crimes Unit detectives are investigating an incident in which a vandal painted a swastika and other race-related graffiti on a street in Mount Sinai.

The incident on Autumn Drive was reported Sunday about 10 a.m., with Sixth Precinct officers responding to the 911 call, police said.

Photos from the scene, emailed to Newsday by a local resident, show a red swastika, as well as a spray-painted N-word and other hate-related graffiti.

In a short statement, police said: "It does not appear the graffiti was targeting any individual residence." Police said the incident remains under investigation.

Anyone with information regarding the incident can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.

By John Valenti

john.valenti@newsday.com

John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”