Swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans were found on Kevarim at the Westlawn Cemetery in northwest Chicago. The vandalism likely occurred on Jan. 6, according to Sheriff Tom Dart, who called the damage a hate crime.

“What they did here is especially despicable,” Dart said at a news conference last Friday afternoon, the Chicago Tribune reported. “The desecration of graves has a level in the circle of hell that goes to the very bottom.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned the anti-Semitic vandalism as well.

“We decry this senseless and disturbing act of anti-Semitism, which affects the entire Jewish community,” said Lonnie Nasatir, ADL Chicago Regional Director.  “We applaud the Chicago Police for taking this incident seriously.”

According to ADL, many of the spray-painted symbols are among those commonly associated with white supremacist groups, including the number “88,” which represents the eighth letter of the alphabet and is shorthand for “Heil Hitler,” the word “skinheads,” SS lightning bolts, “white power,” “Aryan Power,” “Juden Raus” (Jew Out), the Othala Rune, the Wolfsangel, the Star of David hung in a gallows, and others.

The desecration is believed to have occurred overnight on January 5-6.

The League is in contact and will be working closely with law enforcement and the community as the investigation proceeds. ADL’s experts on neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups are providing information and assistance to investigators working to solve the case.