Man Accused Of Hate Crimes, Racist Graffiti: Police

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — A Buffalo Grove man is accused of 14 felony counts — including hate crimes — following multiple incidents of graffiti involving inflammatory and racially offensive markings. Josiah J. Biewer, 20, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the charges, according to the Arlington Heights Police Department.

Police have been investigating a number of incidents involving hateful markings spray-painted on public and private properties between May and June, with two locations hit multiple times.

The 14 charges approved by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office are:

MAY 31 (DAVIS STREET PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS)

• Class 4 felony — hate crime
• Class 3 felony — criminal damage to governmental supported property

MAY 31 (LAKE ARLINGTON)

• Class 3 felony — hate crime (Class 3 because it occurred in public park)
• Class 4 felony — criminal damage to governmental supported property

MAY 31 (VAL STREET PARKING GARAGE)

• Class 4 felony — hate crime
• Class 4 felony — criminal damage to governmental supported property

JUNE 6 (LAKE ARLINGTON)

• Class 3 felony — hate crime
• Class 3 felony — criminal damage to governmental supported property (Class 3 due to damage over $500)

JUNE 23 (LAKE ARLINGTON)

• Class 3 felony — hate crime
• Class 3 felony — criminal damage to governmental supported property

JUNE 23 (DAVIS STREET PEDESTRIAN UNDERPASS)

• Class 4 felony — hate crime
• Class 4 felony — criminal damage to governmental supported property

JULY 7 (LAKE ARLINGTON)

• Class 3 felony — hate crime
• Class 4 felony — criminal damage to governmental supported property

Racist Graffiti Found At Pedestrian Underpass In Arlington Heights

At around 2 a.m. Tuesday, police were monitoring previously targeted areas. Officers deployed near Lake Arlington located an unoccupied "suspicious" car parked nearby, according to police. While searching for the owner of the car, they saw a man emerge from Lake Arlington Park and get in the car. The blue Honda fled at a high rate of speed with its headlines extinguished. Police located fresh graffiti on the park walking path, according to the report.

Police went to Biewer's house in Buffalo Grove and took him into custody without incident, according to police, and he subsequently admitted involvement.

Biewer has a bond hearing set for Thursday at the Third District Courthouse in Rolling Meadows.