Nazi Salute, 'White Power' Shout Lead To Hate Crime Charge: Cops

NEW LENOX, IL — A New Lenox man has been charged with a hate crime after yelling "white power" at a woman and her children, two of whom are Black, outside Walgreens, New Lenox Police said.

Justyn Giarraputo, 37, of unincorporated New Lenox, was taken into custody on Friday and charged with one count of a hate crime and one count of misdemeanor disorderly conduct, police said.

According to police, Giarraputo's charges stem from an incident that happened at Walgreens, 466 Nelson Road, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. A woman was exiting the store and returning to her car, where three of her children had remained while she was in the store. Two of the woman's children are Black.

Police said the woman approached her car and noticed that Giarraputo was parked next to her. The woman saw Giarraputo strike his chest and extend his arm in a Nazi salute while yelling "white power" several times at her and her children, according to police.

Police said the woman was afraid for her and her children's safety. She took a photo of the license plate of Giarraputo's car, and contacted police.

New Lenox investigators met with Giarraputo at his home on Friday, police said. Following a conversation with investigators, Giarraputo was taken into custody.

He was taken to the Will County Adult Detention Facility, and a bond hearing was held Saturday, according to police. Giarraputo posted $5,000 bail and was released Saturday.