(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Prosecutors say a 62-year-old Jefferson Park man vandalized a nearby home four times in attacks that authorities say were homophobic hate crimes.
The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office says Thomas Howard started a string of vandalism in May by going up on a neighbor's porch and cutting their Pride flag in half.
He allegedly did the same thing in July. And in October, Howard is accused of using a “super soaker” and spraying paint on the neighbor's home.
In January, he allegedly defaced the neighbor's garage.
Prosecutors say Howard works for People's Gas and had access to spray paint similar to the paint used to deface the neighbor's home.
Howard told the judge, "I've taken ownership of what I've done and I'm not proud of it."
He is charged with four felonies, including a hate crime.
The judge set his bond at $80,000, which means he can bond out with $8,000.
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