MASSAPEQUA, N.Y. (1010 WINS) – A man and a boy were arrested in connection with graffiti that was scrawled on a 9/11 memorial wall and other locations at a Long Island beach over the weekend.
The graffiti was found Saturday afternoon at Tobay Beach in Massapequa, Nassau County police said Monday.
Officers responded to the scene on Ocean Parkway around 3:40 p.m. to find the graffiti at the 9/11 memorial wall, as well as on the Boatyard Restaurant, the Surf Shack restaurant, the men’s and women’s bathrooms, and the west bathhouse, police said.
Messages spray-painted on the 9/11 wall included "liars" and "9/11 was fault of the USA," according to photos of the vandalism.
The damage from the spray paint was estimated to be about $3,500, according to police.
An investigation led detectives to Tayyab Muhammad, 20, and a male juvenile, whose identity has been withheld because of his age.
Both Muhammad and the boy were charged with criminal mischief and making graffiti.
In a statement, Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said, “This act of vandalism is an affront to the memory of those we lost and the heroes who sacrificed everything.”
“The Town of Oyster Bay will never tolerate hate, and we urge anyone with information to come forward immediately,” Saladino said.