Local Man Charged In Highland Park Mural Defacement

New Brunswick NJ

06 May, 2022

11:56 AM

Description

HIGHLAND PARK, NJ — A local man from Highland Park has been charged with vandalizing the mural of a Muslim woman wearing a head covering, said Highland Park Police Chief Rick Abrams. The mural, pictured above, is located at 75 Raritan Avenue and it was defaced last Friday, said police. This is a new mural that was just painted this spring. Thomas Santo, 54, of Highland Park, New Jersey, was charged with one count of bias intimidation, a fourth-degree crime, as well as criminal mischief. Police say Santo first vandalized the mural on the morning of last Friday, April 29 and then returned later in the day to vandalize the mural for a second time. The New Jersey chapter of the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the incident. "Anti-Muslim hatred is not tolerated here or anywhere," said CAIR director Selaedin Maksut. "We thank the Highland Police Department for their swift action ... Local interfaith leadership and community members in Highland Park have worked hard to make their town welcoming and inclusive of people of all faiths ... Vandals wish to erode the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood built among the diverse local communities through New Jersey. But they will not succeed. We will not let them." The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Jason Culver or Detective Gaetano Palumbo of the Highland Park Police Department at (732) 572-3800 or [email protected] "Highland Park prides itself on its diversity and acceptance of all, and this act struck at the heart of what we stand for," said Police Chief Abrams. "The Highland Park Police Department is resolute in its condemnation of this vandalism and all acts of bias and hatred. We will continue to work with our community and borough partners to ensure the safety of all." "I would like to thank all of my officers for the diligent work they put in to solve this so quickly, and a special thank you to our community partners and business owners that assisted us in this investigation," the police chief added. Original Patch report on this incident: Graffiti On New Mural In Middlesex Co. Under Investigation (April 30) Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. Contact this Patch reporter: [email protected]