Elmhurst Swastika Suspect Arrested: Cops

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst man who painted swastikas in the last few months at several local homes has been charged, authorities said Wednesday.

Joel Jexie, 25, who lives in the 500 block of Crockett Avenue, was charged with three counts of hate crimes and one count of criminal damage, all felonies. His bond was set at $100,000.

On Saturday, Elmhurst police received a call about swastikas painted on two garage doors and a Lexus ES 350, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

On Wednesday, a swastika was spray-painted on a VW Atlas on Crockett Avenue, police said.

Police said they were then able to identify Jexie as the suspect. They also connected him to an April incident where a swastika was spray-painted on a home on Walnut Street, police said.

"The allegations against Mr. Jexie are very disturbing and have been charged accordingly," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in the news release. "Hate crimes have no place in a civilized society and the allegations against Mr. Jexie in no way represent the welcoming, good-hearted people of DuPage County."

Acting Police Chief Michael McLean said residents were a big help.

"The residents that provided home security video and promptly called 911 when they observed suspicious activity were crucial to solving these offensive crimes," McLean said in the release.

In February 2021, Jexie was arrested on two counts of domestic battery in the 500 block of West Crockett. According to a police report, the victim told officers that Jexie struck her in the head with an unknown object.