Authorities say tombs vandalized at Jewish cemetery is hate crime

Cook County authorities say nearly 60 tombstones were defaced with swastikas and anti-Semitic phrases in a primarily Jewish cemetery in near Norridge.

Sheriff Tom Dart calls the incident a hate crime.

Tombstones were spray painted in blue and white with swastikas and a phrase in German, which translates to "Jews Out." Other phrases included "Aryan Power" and "skinhead."

Dart estimates the damage at over $100,000.

The tombstones are located in Westlawn Cemetery near Norridge. A cemetery worker discovered the graffiti over the weekend.

Cemetery general manager Vickie Pulido says she was shocked by the vandalism. She says cemetery officials have contacted about half of the relatives of people buried at the 71-year-old cemetery.