Feb 1, 2008 10:10 pm US/Central
Man Charged With Hate Crime In Cemetery Defacement
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Mariusz Wdziekonski, 21, was arrested Feb. 1 in connection with the January desecration of nearly 60 grave markers in Westlawn Cemetery.
An alleged neo-Nazi was arrested Friday night in connection to the desecration of dozens of gravestones with swastikas, nooses, and words too graphic to publish.
The 21-year-old Norridge man is in custody and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart says he's facing felony hate crime charges. Dart says Mariusz Wdziekonski did what he did to impress his fellow hate-group members.
Dart says Wdziekonski's involvement in a hate group was the reason the Norridge man went into Westlawn Cemetery on January 6, opened some cans of spray paint and defaced 57 gravestones with anti-Semitic slogans and drawings.
"They usually are looking to stand out amongst their group as somebody who is a hero to the group, as somebody who is someone who stands out," Dart said.
Dart says Wdziekonski acknowledged his involvement in the crime and went willingly when arrested. Investigators believe he acted alone.
His arrest is likely a relief to affected families and cemetery employees, who were devastated by the damage.
"They are very saddened by this, it brings back a lot of bad memories and needless to say some have wept," said Vicki Pulido of Westlawn Cemetery.
Damage is estimated to be around $100,000.
Dart could not say how prevalent neo-Nazis are around Illinois.
"Hate groups are out there, they are out there. As to what magnitude it's very difficult to nail down," Dart said. "By their very nature they sort of like to hide under rocks."
Dart says the suspect came here from Poland four years ago. He says he was involved in the same neo-Nazi group there.
Wdziekonski could face up to 7 years in prison if convicted of the felony hate crime.
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