Kristoffer Von Hassel, 18, was arrested in Imperial Beach, California, over alleged antisemitic graffiti sprayed on several homes and an alleyway. Police said surveillance footage led them to find him in a nearby dark alley, and the case has alarmed residents, particularly because some markings appeared around Jewish holidays.

Authorities said the vandalism involved swastikas, “NS” and “WP” symbols, and permanent marker used on properties on multiple occasions. Von Hassel became internationally known at five after discovering a way around an Xbox password system, prompting Microsoft to fix the flaw and reward him; his father has denied that he would commit the alleged offences.