$10K Reward Offered in Case of Swastika Graffiti at Westland Middle School (Update)

UPDATED at 8:15 p.m. Monday BETHESDA, MD — Swastikas recently drawn on the mirrors and walls of a boys' restroom in a Bethesda middle school is being investigated as an act of "hate-based vandalism," according to Montgomery County Police. A $10,000 reward for an arrest in the case was announced Monday.

A letter from Westland Middle School Principal Alison Serino that was sent home to students and parents Friday says the vandals drew multiple images of swastikas using ink pen, pencil and a glue stick. After police and school officials had photographed and studied the graffiti, it was removed from the bathroom walls.

Serino said school officials are “very saddened by this incident” and that this “type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

Anyone with information about this vandalism or the suspect is asked to contact police at 240-773-6710.

For those who wish to remain anonymous, Crime Solvers of Montgomery County is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that leads to the arrest of the suspect. Tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

Montgomery County Police say the images were reported shortly after 11 a.m. Friday.

WUSA posted Serino's full letter to parents:

Dear Students, Parents and Guardians,
I want to share with you information about an event that took place at Westland. I am sending you this letter to give you the facts and to assure you that we are addressing this incident.

One of our boys’ bathrooms was vandalized with multiple images of swastikas drawn in ink pen, in pencil and with glue stick.

Once we were informed about the images we immediately secured the location, contacted the Montgomery County Police Department (MCPD) and contacted the Montgomery County Public Schools office of school support and improvement. After appropriate documentation by our staff and by the police our building services staff removed the vandalism.

We are very saddened by this incident. This type of behavior will not be tolerated. Once the culprit(s) are identified, consequences will be administered in accordance with the MCPS Student Code of Conduct.

We will continue to work closely with police, as well as MCPS security, on this investigation. If you have further questions, please call the school at 301.320.6515.
Sincerely,
Alison L. Serino
Principal