A former New York City police officer is suspected of a hate crime after police say he vandalized several cars and buildings with graffiti.
"When something like this happens, the entire community is affected by it."
Thirty-six-year-old Michael Setiawan was arrested Sunday for allegedly spray-painting anti-Semitic messages the day before. (Via WNBC)
"It feels very bad. It feels very, very terrible and very scary."
"Definitely scary to see anti-Semitism up again and running." (Via NY1)
Police were able to use this surveillance video to get a better look at the man, believed to be Setiawan. He's accused of spraying hate-filled messages on a school. (Via YouTube / JP Updates)
WCBS reports some of the messages Setiawan is accused of spray-painting are too offensive be shown on TV. The station calls the Borough Park area, where the graffiti was sprayed, the heart of New York's Jewish community.
WABC notes Setiawan was taken in for questioning at a local police precinct Sunday. A reporter was there as Setiawan was taken out of the police station and put into an ambulance. He's expected to undergo a mental evaluation.
A police source told the New York Daily News Setiawan left the NYPD in 2007 after serving for just two years because he was suffering from depression. He's charged with 19 counts of criminal mischief as a hate crime and 19 counts of aggravated harrassment as a hate crime.
WABC reports Setiawan could appear in court as early as Monday.
