Crime & Safety

Swastika Painted on Trump Supporter's Door in Silver Spring

Montgomery County Police say a Silver Spring veteran and Trump backer found a swastika on his front door; police call it a bias-based crime.

SILVER SPRING, MD — A Vietnam War veteran and supporter of President-Elect Donald Trump awoke Sunday morning to find a Nazi swastika spray-painted on his home's front door in the Four Corners area of Silver Spring, police say.

The vandalism to the home's storm door was reported about 7:22 a.m. Sunday in the 200 block of Williamsburg Drive, according to Montgomery County Police. Investigators say the homeowner, Thomas Roszkowski, 77, reported that an American flag that had been hanging from a tree in his yard was also stolen.

Detectives learned that in late October, Roszkowski had a “Trump/Pence” election sign stolen from his front yard. Less than a week before the swastika vandalism, Roszkowski reported to police on Nov. 16 that someone had thrown eggs at his house, which is across the street from Montgomery Blair High School.

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Detectives believe that the homeowner’s political affiliation may be the motive for these thefts and vandalisms.

"First they stole my yard sign, then I got a bigger sign,” Roszkowski told WTOP. “I’m not going to be intimidated by this BS, and that’s all this is. It’s just anarchy.”

Find out what's happening in Silver Springfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Anyone with information about these thefts or the vandalisms is asked to call police at 240-773-6870.

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(s). Tipsters can call Crime Solvers of Montgomery County toll-free at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

»Photo of Silver Spring vandalism provided by Montgomery County Police

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