Taunton Teen Charged With ‘Homophobic and Racist’ Vandalism

TAUNTON (WBSM) — Taunton Police have charged a teen boy for the homophobic and racist vandalism that was spray painted at a residence and a synagogue in the city earlier this month.

According to Police Chief Edward J. Walsh, a 15-year-old Taunton boy is being charged with property damage to intimidate, malicious destruction to a motor vehicle, and two counts of vandalizing property.

Police responded to a report of vandalism at an Everett Street home on June 16 at around 3:30 p.m., and Walsh said officers arrived to find “homophobic and racist graffiti spray painted on a vehicle and a recycling bin.”

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While investigating that incident, the department received two more calls of additional vandalism, with “a swastika and other hateful references,” police said, spray painted onto the side of the Congregation Agudath Achim of Greater Taunton, located on Winthrop Street.

According to police, the handwriting was similar in both instances.

The investigation led police to identify the teen boy as the suspect. He will be summonsed to appear in Taunton Juvenile Court at a later date.