Feces Left At World War II Veteran's Rockledge Home: Police

ROCKLEDGE, PA —The Rockledge Police Department is investigating a hate crime against a World War II veteran that may be linked to pro-American and/or pro-Israel yard signs posted at the man's house.

Police Chief John Gallagher said that last Saturday a police officer responded to a borough address after feces (animal or human) was found directly in front of the entrance door.

Police said their investigation revealed that the person living at that location is a well-respected, heroic veteran of World War II, and that person's private property may or may not have been targeted because of pro-American and/or pro-Israel yard signs at that location.

The investigation continues to determine if that was a contributing factor, the chief said.

Gallagher said the victim's veteran status may or may not meet the legal definition of Ethnic Intimidation (a.k.a., Hate Crime) under Sec. 2710 under the PA Crimes Code.

However, the chief said it's still important to know that politically motivated crime, which results in Assault, Threats, or Criminal Mischief (i.e., Vandalism or Graffiti), and/or Hate Crime, regardless of reason, "won't be tolerated in our community."

He said that police will make every effort to identify the person(s) responsible for such unlawful conduct and arrest that person(s), if probable cause exists to do so, to ensure that such a criminal offender(s) is held accountable for his/her actions.