Suspect Arrested for String of Queens Swastika Etchings

By Matis Glenn

A suspect has been arrested in connection with eight incidents of swastikas drawn or etched into cement in front of buildings in heavily populated Jewish areas of Queens, according to the NYPD.

Antoine Blount, 39, was arrested Monday evening after an investigation into the incidents, which took place in Kew Gardens Hills, Rego Park, and Forest Hills. Two swastikas were found at some of the locations; at others, one was made.

Blount, who lives in Queens, was charged with nine counts of aggravated harassment and three counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime.

The hate symbols were made over the course of six days, from March 18 through 24.

The first was discovered in front of the 112th police precinct, at 68-40 Austin Street.

On March 20, two swastikas were found in front of a junior high school in Rego Park, located at 65-55 102 Street. Another was found on March 23 in front of a temple in Forest Hills, two were found on the grounds of Queens College on March 24, and another was found across from 70-17 Main Street.

The rest of the incidents occurred in front of residential homes, at 110-11 Queens Boulevard, 112-20 72 Drive, and 63-74 Austin Street.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, 26 antisemitic incidents occurred in Queens in 2022; a 19 percent drop from the previous year.