Offensive graffiti spray-painted in Arlington neighborhood

Police are investigating several graffiti incidents that included offensive messages and symbols spray-painted throughout the Boulevard Manor neighborhood of Arlington.

According to Arlington County police, the vandalism happened at around 5:30 p.m. Thursday. There were at least seven properties hit in the neighborhood:

- Unit block of N. Montague Street at Washington Boulevard
- 500 block of N. Montague Street
- 100 block of N. Nottingham Street
- 200 block of N. Nottingham Street
- 400 block of N. Lombardy Street
- 500 block of N. Lombardy Street
- 6000 block of 4th Street N

The suspect or suspects responsible used white spray paint to draw swastikas and write racial slurs and anti-gay messages on sidewalks, bricks and lawns in this neighborhood.

"We do have a neighborhood listserv and someone had mentioned that graffiti and that the stone on the corner of Liberty and Lombardy had paint on it and that is in my yard," said Jeremy, one of the graffiti victims whose property was vandalized. "It's unfortunate. I don't know if it's just punk kids being punk kids or if there is something more to it."

By Thursday evening, residents could be seen across the neighborhood with cleaning supplies scrubbing and removing the graffiti. Police also spent the evening interviewing residents.

Arlington County police said the vandalism is similar to graffiti found on the Bluemont Junction Trail on Wednesday and they are investigating if there is a connection.