Vandals recently caused significant property damage to the football field at the Malandra Hall Community Center in Camden, New Jersey.
Camden County police are investigating an incident involving vandals who allegedly broke into the Camden facility and used cars to go joyriding all over the grass. The vehicle tires resulted in large ruts on the grass field.
The vandals also allegedly spray-painted a swastika on a building next to the field.
A Camden County spokesperson said that police are taking the vandalism investigation very seriously. In fact, the vandalism has been characterized as a “bias intimidation incident.”
Authorities hope that video surveillance footage from the Camden NJ community center may help to identify the culprits.
If investigators can eventually identify and apprehend the suspects, criminal charges for criminal mischief would probably follow. Depending on exactly how much damage was caused, the suspects could potentially be charged with a third degree felony.
Workers with the Camden County Department of Public Works have already removed the graffiti, but more still needs to be done to repair the damaged field.
Meanwhile, the Camden Raiders youth football team, which practices on the field, will be able to use alternative venues for practices because other teams that participate in the South Jersey Independent Youth Football League have offered to help.
For additional information about this case, access the NJ.com article, “Vandals Paint Swastika, Ruin Youth Football Field in Camden.”