Workers wash and paint over graffiti, including offensive words and a swastika, that U.S. Postal Service employees discovered Wednesday at the post office in Thorndike. Photo by David Leaming

THORNDIKE — At least one vandal spray-painted offensive words and symbols, including a swastika, that were discovered Wednesday on the post office in Thorndike.

U.S. Postal Service officials, including Unity Postmaster Candace Raven, spent time Wednesday painting over the bright yellow graffiti on the white clapboard building on Mountain View Road. Raven declined to speak about the vandalism.

In addition to offensive language and the Nazi symbol, the words “Geeker Party,” “Ice Baby” and “TEHE” were painted on the building.

The Maine State Police took over the investigation Thursday, according to officials, and asked the public for help in tracking down anyone who had a role in the graffiti.

“Between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, an unknown person or persons spray painted various images and markings on the post office building,” Cpl. Jeremiah Wesbrock said in a statement released to the news media. “If anyone has information to add, please contact (Trooper) Gerald Lowe at 207-624-7076.”

U.S. Postal Inspector Emily Spera said Thursday the agency was not investigating the graffiti, and declined to provide data about similar incidents in New England. It was not clear Wednesday if the vandalism was a federal offense.

“The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is aware of the incident. No further investigation is deemed necessary at this time,” Spera wrote in an email.

Patrons driving up to mail letters could be seen shaking their heads at the sight of the vandalism.

At the nearby Thorndike Town Office, Town Clerk Rose Hill said she and other residents were shocked by the vandalism.

“This is terrible for a small town to be exposed to this sort of thing,” Hill said. “It’s sad.”

Hill said the vandalism is an act of ignorance and could have serious consequences.

“If this is the work done by kids, they talk about it with others,” she said, “and I hope anyone with information about it calls the police.”

They need to know they could be in real trouble, Hill said, and the Nazi symbol could have a “hate crime consequence.”

“Kids can do stupid things,” she said.

Hill said she plans to post photographs and information on social media to hopefully generate information on who is responsible for the vandalism.

“This is so uncalled for,” she said.

Staff writer Dylan Tusinski contributed to this report.