By Guy Page

A 25-year-old Cavendish man has been cited in connection with graffiti spray-painted on a local business earlier this month, according to the Vermont State Police.

Police said Brenton M. Beers turned himself in following publicity surrounding the incident at DG Bodyworks in Cavendish. The business is owned by Denise Gebroe, an outspoken supporter of the State of Israel and critic of the anti-Israel ‘apartheid-free’ resolution passed at several Vermont Town Meetings this year.

Beers was issued a citation for one count of unlawful mischief and is scheduled to appear for arraignment June 16 in the Criminal Division of Vermont Superior Court in White River Junction.

According to social media searches, Beers is a 2019 graduate of Rutland High School, where he competed in the state cross-country running championship.

The investigation began after state police received a report at about 4:50 a.m. May 20 that graffiti had been spray-painted on the front windows of the business.

Troopers reviewing security footage determined that at about 1:55 a.m. an individual used purple spray paint to write messages on two store windows. The business exterior is decorated by the owner with flags of Israel.

According to police, one message stated “Free Palestine,” while another used a profanity directed at Israel.

State police previously said they would notify the Vermont Attorney General’s Office about the case as a possible hate crime under the state’s Bias Incident Reporting System.

Police said no additional information was available Tuesday. An affidavit of probable cause is expected to be filed with the court following Beers’ arraignment.