Man arrested for spraying swastikas on DC-area synagogue

Andrew Lemond Costas identified from video surveillance at Tikvat Israel Congregation in Rockville

Andrew Lemond Costas, who was arrested and charged with spraying swastikas on a synagogue in Rockville, Maryland. (Montogomery County Police)
Andrew Lemond Costas, who was arrested and charged with spraying swastikas on a synagogue in Rockville, Maryland. (Montogomery County Police)

ROCKVILLE, Maryland — Police said Friday they had arrested and charged a man for spraying swastikas on a synagogue in Rockville, Maryland, a town just north of Washington DC.

Montgomery County Police said they identified Andrew Lemond Costas, 28, after releasing surveillance video from the scene of the March 28 incident at Tikvat Israel Congregation and received tips from the public.

Costas had sprayed swastikas and “derogatory epithets” on the building, police said.

He was charged with “malicious destruction of property, defacing religious property, and damaging property of a group because of the group’s religious beliefs.”

Costas was released after posting a $5,000 bond, police said.

Rockville has large Jewish and Israeli communities.

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