A Swastika, Identity Theft and More

A spray painted swastika

On Saturday, April 9 at 9:17 a.m., police received a call that a swastika had been spray painted on the sign outside the driveway for the three houses on Connors Lane.

Chief John Troxell said, when such a symbol is spraypainted anywhere, the department "initiates an investigation as if it were a hate crime," and does not treat it like other instances of vandalism.

"A lot of those that we deal with in our community, we find that youth are usually involved," Troxell said. "They normally don't understand what the ramifications are. They usually don't understand the symbol's history."

Troxell said even in those cases, the youths are referred to juvenile officers or the courts, "so they understand the consequences" of such an action.

The department has not ruled out that culprits other than youths might be responsible.

"We are responding to it as a hate crime at this time," he said.

Identity theft

Rachel Johnson, 35, of Steephill Road was arrested on Tuesday, April 5 at 9:57 a.m. and charged with identity theft in the third degree and the illegal use of a credit card.

According to police, Johnson allegedly opened a credit card in her ex-husband's name and rang up more than $4,000 worth of charges.

She was released after posting a $10,000 bond and was given an April 21 court date.

A $90,000 ring missing

On Tuesday, April 5 at 3:01 p.m., a woman, who lives on Hills End, reported to police that a four-carat $90,000 ring was missing from her home.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry, and nothing else was missing from the house. The woman had not worn the ring for a few weeks, police said.

The case remains under investigation.