Schodack Police Chief Joseph Belardo was clearly upset Monday following a quiet Nassau neighborhood awoken just before midnight.
Investigators say a detached garage at a home on Cold Spring Avenue went up in flames overnight. No one was hurt, but it's what firefighters noticed that police are calling disturbing.
"They saw, on the front of the garage, someone had spray-painted a swastika and a racial comment," Belardo said.
For that reason, the incident is under investigation as a hate crime. Belardo says the homeowners, who have lived on the street for a number of years, are puzzled like investigators about why they were targeted.
"They've had no issues whatsoever with anybody. They get along with all of their neighbors. Everyone in that neighborhood is friendly," said Belardo.
Police have canvassed the area looking for clues and speaking to neighbors. Chief Belardo says they'll likely need the public's help to find who's responsible.
"We are going to be working on this to try and do everything we can to figure out who's behind this, because it's just really disturbing to everyone," said Belardo.
Schodack police are looking for the public's help. If you know anything, you're asked to give them a call at 518-477-8077.