Man arrested after pasting “White Boy Summer” Hitler stickers around Bristol

Adam Devine

BRISTOL, RI – On April 24, 2021, at approximately 2:00 pm the Bristol Police received a report of suspicious activity in the downtown area. The reporting party indicated while walking on Hope Street in the area of the Rogers Free Library, a sticker with discriminatory connotation was observed on an exterior window of the library.

Police then canvassed the downtown area and located additional stickers posted in the vicinity.

A comprehensive investigation by Bristol Police Detectives, led by Lieutenant Julie Veader immediately began. All stickers that were located were removed by detectives and preserved for future forensic analysis. Additionally, detectives canvassed the area for video surveillance in concert with evidence collection. During the subsequent police investigation, two males were observed on video surveillance placing stickers throughout the downtown area, including Independence Park. One of the males was observed to be wearing black military boots, light-colored jeans, a white t-shirt, and a black coat with several unknown patches on it. The second male depicted in the video was observed to be wearing light-colored pants and a dark long sleeve shirt or sweater. These individuals were observed on video placing the stickers seized by police in various locations in the downtown area.

Still photographs and parts of the surveillance video of the men were released to the media in hopes that someone could assist police in identifying these individuals.


As information began to develop on this case Detective Adam Clifford and Detective John Nappi began expanding their pursuit to identify the suspects beyond the Eastbay area following up on every lead.

On April 27, 2021, Detective Adam Clifford, a member of the Bristol Police Department transported the stickers seized by police to the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory for forensic analysis, in the hopes detectable evidence would be found by forensic analysts to be used to assist in the identification of the men involved.

A few days thereafter, Bristol Police Detectives received notice from the Rhode Island State Crime Laboratory latent fingerprint impressions of comparative value were developed on the sticky side of three (3) of the stickers. After a fingerprint comparison was conducted, it was determined several of the latent prints developed were confirmed to belong to Chase Gilroy, age 26, of Warwick, RI.

Chief Lynch commends the hard work and persistence of the Bristol Police Detective Division in their relentless pursuit to resolve this important case. Due to their diligence and meticulous investigative skills, an arrest warrant for Gilroy was obtained for one (1) count of Vandalism and one (1) count of Conspiracy to Commit Vandalism.

On May 13, 2021, Chase Gilroy turned himself in at Bristol Police Headquarters where he was processed and transported to 6th District Court for arraignment. At his arraignment, Gilroy was released on Personnel Recognizance and scheduled to appear for Pre-Trial on June 18, 2021.

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