Kristoffer Von Hassel, 18, who gained international recognition as a child for uncovering a security flaw in Microsoft's Xbox system, has been arrested in Imperial Beach, California, on suspicion of committing antisemitic vandalism. The San Diego Sheriff's Office took Von Hassel into custody early Tuesday morning following multiple reports of hate symbols being spray-painted on neighborhood homes.
Authorities responded to two separate incidents on September 13, where swastikas and other hate symbols were discovered on residences. A further report on September 19 indicated that one of the affected homes and a nearby alleyway had again been vandalized. Increased patrols in the area led deputies to surveillance footage that identified Von Hassel as the suspect. Police located him in a dark alley where one of the vandalism incidents had occurred. He was reportedly in possession of an electronic device capable of interacting with and analyzing wireless signals, which police noted could be used to interact with garage doors and gates.
One of the targeted homeowners, Sandy Brillhart, expressed feelings of insecurity following the incidents. Initially dismissing the vandalism as common, she was horrified upon realizing the symbols' hateful meanings, including a swastika on her front door and the letters "NS" and "WP," which stand for "National Socialists" and "white power." The first attack occurred around Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday, and the second a week later, just before Yom Kippur, another Jewish holiday. "I don't feel safe in my house anymore," Brillhart told KGTV.
Von Hassel's father expressed disbelief at the allegations, referencing his son's childhood achievement. In 2014, at the age of five, Von Hassel gained notoriety by discovering how to access his father's Xbox account without a password. His father reported the flaw to Microsoft, which subsequently addressed the issue. For his discovery, Von Hassel was recognized by Microsoft, received four free games, $50, and a year-long Xbox Live subscription, earning him the moniker "world's youngest hacker."
Von Hassel's mother stated that the family intends to fight the charges and expressed concern about the potential impact on his future. As of Wednesday afternoon, Von Hassel remained in custody at the San Diego Central Jail on $122,500 bail, facing charges that include vandalism and property damage, according to jail records. His booking photo was not immediately available.