Police began searching for an unidentified individual on Wednesday night after discovering swastikas drawn on 14 cars across Long Island, CBS reported.
The vandalism in Bethpage happened sometime between 9 p.m. on Tuesday and 6 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Nassau County officials.
"I'm guessing it's probably kids who really didn't have a sense of what they're writing. To them, maybe it was a joke. But to us, it's vandalism, and it's actually a pretty frightening thing to see when you come outside," said Danielle Levitt, whose driver's seat window was vandalized.
Although people in Bethpage said the incident was disturbing, most residents -- including a World War II veteran -- believe the vandalism was carried out by teenagers.
Although the literal meaning of swastika means "it is good" and was a symbol in several Indian religions, it was formally adopted by the Nazi Party during WWII and remains a painful reminder of the Holocaust.
The swastikas, scribbed in blue chalk, appeared on the driver's side window of the following cars:
A 2004 GMC and a 2007 Nissan Maxima on Park Lane
A 1984 Buick Lacrosse, a 2004 Honda Odyssey, a 2001 Dodge Durango, and a 2001 Ford Mustang on Whaley Avenue
A 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche on Columbia Street
A 2002 Volvo on Lowell Street
A 2006 Ford Taurus on Irving Street
A 2003 Chevrolet pickup truck and a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu on Rose Street
A 2000 Nissan Pathfinder on Essen Place
A 1992 Cadillac on Roosevelt Drive
A 2004 Jeep on Jem Lane
The vandalism is being investigated as a hate crime. Anyone with information helpful to the case is asked to notify the Nassau County Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS.
In another alarming incident involving the Nazi symbol, a couple in New Zealand discovered a swastika drawn on the skin of their cat, whose hair had been shaven off.
"I honestly don't know who would be behind it...There's been nothing like this, ever. I just reckon it's some silly teenagers." Jess Griffin said of her cat's mark.
