Cottage Grove police brief: Man cited after burning swastika in front yard

One man was ticketed by police after a Cottage Grove resident reported that a swastika was burned into the grass outside the home.

Police were called to a home in the 8400 block of Hinton Avenue on July 15 after the resident found the Nazi symbol in the front yard.

Police investigated the incident as a possible hate crime, but concluded it was not a hate crime because nobody living at the home would have fallen into a minority category in the law, according to police.

However, the investigation resulted in the citation of a 26-year-old man who has no permanent address but used to live in the neighborhood and knew the victim. The man was ticketed for fifth-degree arson and property damage.

Police said the suspect “just said he wanted to do it.”

Tags: crime and courts, updates, crime