Police seeking 3 suspected of vandalizing Hindu temple BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville

On Sept. 16, two people spray painted the entrance to BAPS... — On Sept. 16, two people spray painted the entrance to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Melville, police said. Credit: SCPD

By Maureen Mullarkeymaureen.mullarkey@newsday.comUpdated December 3, 2024

Suffolk police are seeking the public’s help to identify three people facing hate crime charges after they damaged property at a Hindu temple in Melville in September.

On Sept. 16, between midnight and 12:30 a.m., two people spray painted a sign and pavement at the entrance of BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir on Deshon Drive.

According to its website, the temple is a sacred Hindu place of worship that also offers arts, languages, music and philosophy rooted in Hindu heritage.

Video surveillance shows the two people walking near the property on the sidewalk.

A third person waited in a dark-colored pickup truck, police said.

The three people would face charges of criminal mischief as a hate crime, police said.

The Suffolk police department offers a cash reward for information leading to an arrest. Those with information can call 1-800-220-TIPS.

By Maureen Mullarkey

maureen.mullarkey@newsday.com

Maureen Mullarkey is a breaking news reporter at Newsday. She previously worked as a reporter for Patch, where she covered a range of Long Island stories on topics such as the Diocese of Rockville Centre bankruptcy and the Babylon School District abuse scandals.

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