Vandalism suspect held

Authorities say a 21-year-old man faces hate crime charges for defacing nearly 60 graves with swastikas and anti-Semitic phrases in a primarily Jewish cemetery near Norridge. Cook County Sheriff Thomas Dart says the man is in custody pending final approval of charges. Dart says he has admitted being a member of a neo-Nazi group. Dart says the man faces charges ranging from criminal damage to property to a felony hate crime for the destruction at the Westlawn Cemetery. On Jan. 6, someone spray painted tombstones 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.