The flyers and stickers contained the words “Aryan National Army” and included an image of a skull inside a swastika, Murray said. He added that authorities were alerted when a churchgoer attended a morning service and found one posted on the door of a predominantly black church. “We then went to a local park and within that park we ended up finding them scattered throughout the park and posted in different areas,” Murray said. “Our patrols ended up intercepting the two men who were arrested as they were passing these items around the community.” The suspects made statements to authorities, Murray said, but he declined to elaborate on what was said. Murray told CNN he does not believe there is an active threat against the church or synagogue at this time and has offered houses of worship extra security. The police chief said he believes the three suspects “all acted in concert” to distribute the leaflets. CNN could not determine if they have legal representation, but has reached out to the suspects for comment. Hornell Mayor John Buckley told CNN he was “shocked and appalled” by the distribution of hate symbols in the community, which he describes as an old railroad town that swells with visitors during the summer months and winter holidays. Hornell is located approximately 85 miles southeast of downtown Buffalo. “It doesn’t reflect who we are as a community here in Hornell,” Buckley said. “Hornell is a very warm, welcoming and accepting community and there is no place for any hate.” CNN has reached out to the local district attorney for comment on the case.
