Anti‑religious graffiti sprayed across a statue outside Queens' 114th Precinct in Astoria has the NYPD looking for help from the public, with a cash reward on the table for anyone who can ID the culprit.
Police say the vandal struck on March 21 at about 6:30 a.m., defacing the statue and nearby surfaces in front of 36‑25 11 Street before taking off. The case is still open, and investigators this week renewed their call for tips after sharing a wanted alert through NYPD Crime Stoppers.
According to NYPD Crime Stoppers, the unidentified suspect used spray paint to mark the statue and scrawl anti‑religious remarks, then fled the scene. Crime Stoppers is offering up to $3,500 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment. Tipsters can call 1‑800‑577‑TIPS (or 1‑888‑57‑PISTA for Spanish) or submit information online via Crime Stoppers.
Where the Case Is Being Handled
The investigation is being run out of the NYPD's 114th Precinct, which covers Astoria, Long Island City, Woodside and Jackson Heights, according to the precinct's 114th Precinct page. That page also lists local phone numbers and community‑affairs contacts for residents who want to stay informed about cases in the area.
Legal Consequences
If detectives determine the graffiti was driven by bias, the case could be prosecuted as a hate crime in addition to standard vandalism charges. New York Penal Law §485.05 specifically includes criminal mischief among the offenses that can be charged as a hate crime, which can bring enhanced penalties if the statute applies.
Citywide Context
The alert comes amid broader concern about bias‑linked vandalism and other hate incidents across New York City. NY1 has reported a sharp rise in antisemitic hate‑crime reports early in 2026, and the city's Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes' 2025 annual report outlines expanded efforts to prevent and track hate‑motivated incidents across the five boroughs.
How to Report Tips
Anyone with information about the March 21 vandalism is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 1‑800‑577‑TIPS, text CRIMES (274637) and then enter TIP577, or send an anonymous tip through the program's website, according to the NYPD's Crime Stoppers information. Details on eligibility for rewards and additional tip‑submission options are also available there, as well as in the original alert from NYPD Crime Stoppers.
