The most recent instance of graffiti at the intersection of 7th and H NW, as seen Monday morning. (Photo by Erin Sutherland)

In at least five instances this month, anti-Semitic graffiti has appeared on a busy Chinatown crosswalk. Each time, the word “JEW” was written inside the rats painted onto the street. On Monday, D.C. Police arrested Generoso Anthony Capodilupo, who has been charged with multiple counts of defacing property.

The 60-year-old Capodilupo, who has no fixed address, allegedly went into a coffee shop Monday and drew swastikas on the business’ windows, according to a police release.

“A combination of witness interviews and evidence assisted in apprehending the suspect,” MPD spokesperson Aquita Brown says.

“The DowntownDC BID remains hopeful that these hateful incidents will desist. Downtown should be a safe and welcoming place for everyone and actions such as these will not be tolerated,” said Neil O. Albert, executive director of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District.

The DowntownDC BID and the District Department of Transportation kept cleaning up the graffiti as it showed up at the intersection, which features the 12 animals of the Chinese zodiac as part of a public art installation. In the most recent incident, police say they also found a swastika drawn on the rear door of the corner Starbucks and “other swastikas were observed and reported,” according to an August 21 police report.

On August 11, MPD announced a $1,000 reward through Crimesolvers for information leading to an arrest or conviction.

“The graffiti itself is very disturbing,” Rabbi Batya Steinlauf, the director of D.C. advocacy and community relations for the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington, told DCist. She was pleased with the city’s response. “There was an absolute understanding that this was very disturbing and we need to respond in a very determined way.”

Updated with comment from DowntownDC and MPD.