SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) - Authorities in Florida announced Friday that they’ve captured the man who spray-painted swastikas on two Jewish temples.
Vincent Martinez, 21, was being held at a secure medical facility pending his arrest on warrants issued Wednesday, according to a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office news release. He faces three counts of criminal mischief by defacing and damaging a synagogue, all classified as felony hate crimes. Officials didn’t say why Martinez was receiving medical attention.
Detectives received information identifying Martinez as a suspect after releasing surveillance video and images to the public last week. Surveillance video shows a man with his face covered walk onto the grounds of Temple Emanu-El shortly after 2 a.m. on July 15, investigators said. A short time later, he visited Temple Sinai several miles away.
At both locations, officials said the man drew multiple swastikas and other graffiti causing thousands of dollars in damage. A similar incident occurred in April at Temple Emanu-El, authorities said.
Jail and court records didn’t list an attorney for Martinez.
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