Swastikas, Graffiti Found on Several Properties in Tinley Park

Norman Parish | As of Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Swastikas and other markings were recently discovered on several Tinley Park, Ill. residences and other properties, including this bridge near 168th and Gaynelle streets.
Swastikas and other markings were recently discovered on several Tinley Park, Ill. residences and other properties, including this bridge near 168th and Gaynelle streets.

Swastikas and other markings were recently found on several Tinley Park businesses and residences, officials said.

Tinley Park, Ill. police said they don’t have any suspects and aren’t sure if any of the incidents over the last two months are connected.

The south suburban police also added that the vandalism hasn’t been classified as hate crimes.

“We are still working at it,” Deputy Police Chief Lorelei Mason said. “We don’t have any leads. This has run in spurts. We think it could be kids.”

One of the sites recently vandalized was a former park district building being renovated into a sports training facility.

Vandals caused thousands of dollars of damage by breaking doors and mirrors, pulling out water fountains and breaking an elevator lift at the former Tinley Park Fitness Center, 17500 Duvan Dr.

Graffiti also was found throughout the hallways and rooms, including a swastika and the words “Skate or die.”

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Thousands of dollars of damage happened at the former Tinley Park Fitness Center, 17500 Duvan Drive in Tinley Park, Ill. Items were broken and swastikas markings were in the building.

The phrase “Hail Satan” also was spray-painted at the site.

Police found two empty paint cans and an empty bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey.

Police came to the site on Aug. 3 after an owner of the building reported the incident.

The incidents are starting to attract attention from many residents.

Near the block of 16800 and Gaynelle Road, resident David Daniel said he has noticed a lot graffiti recently spray-painted on a bridge near his home.

Just last month, he said he noticed an outdoor site was spray-painted with profanity directed at police.

“I think the people who do this are idiots,” Daniel said. “They are probably kids.”

On July 31, police found pictures of swastikas and male genitalia on the bridge near Daniel’s home.

On July 22, police investigated several swastikas and other drawings spray-painted along residential fences near 167th Street. The words “white power” were painted on a fence and swastikas also were on a vehicle.

Police investigated other graffiti, writings on a home, on 16700 block of Gaynelle on Aug. 8.

“People should keep their eyes and ears open and let us know what is happening in their neighborhood,” Mason said.

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