The swastika and extensive damage to the football field in Camden were discovered last week.
CAMDEN -- A Gloucester City man has been charged with painting a swastika and tearing up a youth football field in Camden earlier this month after police received numerous tips, authorities said.
Alexander Peters Alexander Peters, 28, admitted to police that he caused the damage to the field, but he couldn't offer a motive, Camden County Police Sgt. Janell Simpson said.
"He seemed remorseful in the interview, but he didn't admit it was a hate crime," Simpson said after a press conference on the charges filed against Peters. "I believe he intended to hurt a certain group of people."
Simpson said that after police identified Peters as a suspect, it wasn't hard to track him down.
That's because he was being sentenced Friday in Superior Court in Camden County on an aggravated assault charge. He was given three years in prison.
Simpson said that police were notified around 9 a.m. Oct. 12 that someone had painted the swastika on the field house at Malandra Hall Community Center. City officials were already aware that someone had also driven a vehicle over the youth football field there sometime on the night of Oct. 9 or early Oct. 10.
The field is used by the Camden Raiders, a volunteer-run football program for kids 5 through 14. City officials are working to restore the fields, but until then, the children will have to play only away games and are unable to practice there.
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Simpson said that the extensive media coverage of the vandalism led to many tips about Peters, who lives on the 300 block of Market Street in Gloucester City near Malandra Hall Community Center.
Camden County police brought Peters to the police station Monday for an interview and after his admission, charged him with third-degree criminal mischief.
Camden County spokesman Dan Keashen had previously said the incident was being investigated as a possible hate crime, but so far, that charge has not been filed against Peters.
Simpson said that decision was up to the Camden County prosecutor's office and the charge could be added at a later date.
She said it is very discouraging that the incident has deprived children of a safe place to play.
"It's definitely hurtful," she said.
Rebecca Everett may be reached at reverett@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @rebeccajeverett. Find NJ.com on Facebook.