Elmhurst Swastika Suspect Ordered Jailed

ELMHURST, IL – One of the two Elmhurst suspects accused of scrawling swastikas and Nazi phrases at a playground has been ordered to be jailed.

Christopher Jackson, 18, of the 200 block of Boyd Avenue in Elmhurst, was charged with a felony hate crime on school property and two felony counts of criminal damage, police said. A 17-year-old youth was also charged.

Jackson will remain in jail at least until his next court appearance, which is June 21, DuPage County prosecutors said in a news release.

On May 20, Elmhurst officers responded to Edison Elementary School, 246 S. Fair Ave., for a report of damage, according to a news release from DuPage County prosecutors. Elementary school students were the first to see the vandalism, police said.

After an investigation, police determined Jackson and the 17-year-old vandalized the plastic playground equipment with a knife, prosecutors said.

The damage was estimated at $4,500.

"As I said before, DuPage County is an extremely welcoming community to all, but we most certainly do not welcome the type of behavior alleged in this case," DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement. "I thank Elmhurst Community Unit School District 205 for bringing this matter to the attention of authorities and I commend the Elmhurst Police Department for their quick identification of the defendants."