Community Corner

South Windsor Police Charge Man in Connection With High School Graffiti

Jason Rivera, 29, of 493 Griffin Road was charged with desecration of property and criminal mischief in the second degree.


By Ted Glanzer

South Windsor Police on Tuesday arrested a local man they believe is responsible for spray painting swastikas, references to the Newtown shootings and anti-Barack Obama messages on South Windsor High School on March 28.

Jason Rivera, 29, of 493 Griffin Road, was charged with desecration of property and criminal mischief in the second degree. Rivera was held on $100,000 court-set bond and will be presented at Manchester Superior Court on Wednesday.

Officers interviewed Rivera on Monday and obtained an admission from him, according to a press release.  An arrest warrant application was obtained this morning and served at his home.

Police spokesman Sgt. Scott Custer said that Rivera was apologetic and had no idea that the community would react as it did.

Custer said that Rivera did not have access to any weapons, and that Rivera did not appear to pose a threat to anyone.

"He was very cooperative with officers and took responsibility for his action," Custer said. There was no apparent motive behind the graffiti, Custer said; Rivera, who is unemployed and lives with his parents, did not have a manifesto or known animus toward any groups in town.

Custer said that even though the incident took place at a school, there is no reason to believe anyone is in danger as a result of the graffiti.

"He said he'd never harm anyone," Custer said.


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