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Officials: 2 Lacey Township men charged with spray painting swastikas, setting park bathroom on fire  

Authorities say two men spray-painted graffiti-like swastikas at various locations at Gille Park on Sunday, and at the basketball courts and a ShopRite.

Lanette Espy

Nov 30, 2023, 11:07 AM

Updated 377 days ago

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Two Lacey Township men have been charged with arson and criminal mischief in connection with a series of incidents in a week.
Prosecutors say Alexander Gerber, 19, and Connor Dougherty, 20, started a fire in the women's bathroom at Gille Park on Nov. 21. An investigation by the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office determined that the fire had been intentionally set with an open flame to combustible material.
Officials say the two men also spray-painted graffiti-like swastikas at various locations in the park on Sunday, and at the basketball courts and a ShopRite on North Main Street on Tuesday.  
Dougherty turned himself in to Lacey Township Police Headquarters on Tuesday. Both Gerber and Dougherty were charged and are being held at Ocean County Jail pending a detention hearing.