Police: Swastikas found inside Idle Hour Mansion at former Dowling College
The vandalism was followed a few days later by an unrelated break-in and burglary
Jun 2, 2023, 5:40 PM
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Police say vandals broke into buildings at the Oakdale campus of the former Dowling College in two separate incidents this week.
They say swastikas were scrawled inside the historic Idle Hour Mansion over the weekend. That vandalism was followed a few days later by an unrelated break-in and burglary.
Police say four suspects defaced the building over Memorial Day weekend. They say detectives with the Hate Crimes Unit investigating the case noticed two teens loitering on the campus.
Detectives questioned the pair and linked them to a break-in and burglary that happened at the library on campus on May 31.
"That's when the ball started rolling," said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison. "We were able to track down these individuals, went to their residence, placed them under arrest."
Police say 19-year-old Zachary Pandolf, of Patchogue, was charged with burglary. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment and was released without bail.
Three other defendants in the case are minors and will be in court at a later date.
Police are still asking for the public help to locate the suspect involved in the antisemitic graffiti case. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS.
