NYPD Probes Vandalism at Manhattan Capital One Branch

The New York City Police Department is investigating vandalism at a Capital One branch on Manhattan’s Upper East Side after windows were broken and red-painted messages appeared on the building’s front, including wording that referenced Palestine Action and Elbit. The department’s Hate Crimes Task Force is examining whether the October 19 incident was bias-related, but police have not publicly established a motive or identified anyone responsible. Officers responded to the branch on East 86th Street near Second Avenue at about 7:40 a.m., according to the NYPD. They found broken glass and red paint on the bank’s windows and doors. No injuries or arrests were reported. The messages included “PAL ACTION” and “DROP ELBIT,” according to accounts of the scene. The wording appears to refer to Palestine Action, a U.K.-based protest group, and Elbit Systems, an Israeli defense company. The graffiti indicates a possible protest-related target, but does not establish who carried out the damage or why. Police are investigating the incident as criminal mischief and a possible bias incident. The NYPD has not publicly determined whether the vandalism was antisemitic or connected to an...