Manchester, N.H., police are seeking a 19-year-old man in connection with swastikas recently sprayed on a car and gazebo in that city, and he may have fled to Massachusetts, authorities said.
In a statement, Manchester police identified the suspect as Jamal Gray. He’s wanted for “his alleged involvement with multiple criminal mischiefs involving swastikas during the weekend of October 26, 2018,” the release said.
Cops laid out five incidents of vandalism, two of which included the Nazi symbol.
Swastikas were spray painted on a car parked on Oak Street and the floor of a gazebo at Wagner Park, police said.
Authorities did not indicate how Gray was allegedly linked to the vandalism but urged members of the public to call Manchester police if they know where he is.
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“You could be eligible for a cash reward should your crime tip lead to the apprehension and conviction of Mr. Gray who is described as 6’01, 155 lbs. with black hair and brown eyes,” the release said.
The statement did not indicate where in Massachusetts Gray may have fled.
Swastika graffiti has unsettled a number of Massachusetts communities, where the hateful graffiti has repeatedly turned up in schools.
More than 30 such incidents have been reported in Reading since May 2017, and three swastikas were recently discovered in boys’ bathrooms at Masconomet Regional High School in Boxford.
At Malden High School, a swastika was found etched in an elevator on Nov. 5. Swastikas were found inside bathrooms at Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School around the same time.
The incidents have come amid a rise in hate crimes nationally and in Massachusetts. The FBI reported Tuesday that in 2017 hate crimes jumped 17 percent nationwide over the previous year. The number of incidents in Massachusetts was up 9 percent over the same period.
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Anyone with information on Gray’s whereabouts can call Manchester, N.H., police at 603-792-5500. Tipsters should reference case numbers 18-016630, 18-016866 or 18-016676. Information can also be left with the Manchester Police Crimeline at 603-624-4040.
Cristela Guerra of the Globe Staff contributed to this report. Travis Andersen can be reached at travis.andersen@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @TAGlobe.