Man Charged in Hate Crime and School Vandalism Due in Court

Police say Ciaran Dillon broke into Winthrop High School, used a sledge hammer to trash it and drew swastikas on a whiteboard

A 19-year-old Massachusetts man who is accused of vandalizing a school and committing a hate crime is set to be arraigned Friday.

Police say Ciaran Dillon broke into Winthrop High School, used a sledge hammer to trash it and drew swastikas on a whiteboard.

Police also say Dillon stole media equipment, including cameras and computer equipment.

They say he was in the school overnight for a couple of hours. It's unclear exactly how he may have gotten in, but it appears through a back door.

Police were called to the scene when a morning janitor found the destruction. At first, police didn't know if the suspect was still in the school, so they delayed the opening until 11 a.m.

The media room and locker sustained the most damage, which is estimated to be between $10,000-20,000, according to police.

Police say Dillon was once a student in Winthrop but wasn't currently.

Dillon is being held on $10,000 bail. He'll be arraigned Friday in East Boston district court. 

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