Police arrest vandal behind homophobic graffiti

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Police have arrested a man they say spray-painted homophobic graffiti on several buildings and garages in Astoria since March.

Yaacov Shemesh of Astoria was arrested and charged with 22 incidents of aggravated harassment, criminal mischief and making graffiti.

“The acts of senseless vandalism our community was forced to endure in recent months were outrageous and unacceptable,” said State Senator Michael Gianaris. “There is no amount of bigotry or xenophobia that can tear our diverse neighborhood apart.”

According to police, the 53-year-old Shemesh spray-painted the graffiti three times on the Pistilli Towers at 31-19 Newtown Avenue, an office building that houses the district offices of Gianaris, Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney.

The vandal also struck garages on 23rd Avenue between 28th and 29th streets throughout the two-month spree.

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