By Doug La Rocque
According to Hoosick Falls Police Chief Robert Ashe, a 15-year old from Bennington and a 17-year old village resident went on a vandalism spree through part of the village during the overnight hours of Saturday, September 1. Chief Ashe’s report states his officers were called to Church Street for a report of a car having been spray-painted. A subsequent investigation turned up a similar act of criminal mischief on Carey Avenue. While responding officers were taking the initial complaint, residents of Main Street, Hall Street, Railroad Avenue and Surdam Street advised they also had spray-painted vehicles.
Chief Ashe said that during the course of the investigation, it was found that two street signs and a building had also been vandalized. The painted on images included Smiley faces, graphic images and a racial slur. It was also determined the two youths had stolen a gas can from a yard, pouring fuel on the walking trail and setting it ablaze. That fire self-extinguished.
The investigation led officers to identify two juveniles and subsequently place them under arrest. The Bennington youth was charged with Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree-Hate Crime, Trespass, Petit Larceny, Criminal Tampering in the Third Degree as well as Making Graffiti. He was released to Rensselaer County Probation on an Appearance Ticket.
The 17-year old Village youth faces charges of Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree and Trespass. He was arraigned before Judge Harold McClellan in Hoosick Falls Village Court and remanded to the Rensselaer County Jail in lieu of $5,000 Cash/Bond with a future return date.
Chief Ashe has told the community it is not the first time something like this has happened, and says sometimes he sees rage in the younger community. He indicated it is often hard to know what is going through a youth’s mind, and wonders in some cases, do they even know what a hate crime is?
The investigation into the matter continues and anyone who has any information or may have had damage done to their property is asked to contact the Hoosick Falls Police Department at 518-686-7900.