NYPD releases new images of Brooklyn Heights hate crime suspects
Investigation into vandalism of Brooklyn Museum president’s home continues
Police released additional surveillance images of a group suspected of vandalizing a Brooklyn Heights co-op building on June 12. This still frame was grabbed from a video. Photo: NYPD
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — The New York Police Department has released new surveillance images showing members of a group suspected of vandalizing the Brooklyn Heights home of the president of the Brooklyn Museum on June 12.
The video shows six individuals, most wearing masks and hats or hoods, as they enter and depart an elevator in an unidentified building. Police also released an additional still image of one of the individuals suspected — a male with long hair wearing a hoodie or jacket with a distinctive logo on the back.
This follows an earlier release of photos, as the investigation into what NYPD is calling a “hate crime criminal mischief incident” continues. Police have canvassed the neighborhood seeking more witnesses and images, one resident told the Brooklyn Eagle.
The suspects splattered the walls, windows, walkway and front door of the Mansion House co-op building at 145 Hicks St. with red paint, and hung a sign calling the museum’s board president, who is Jewish, a “White-supremacist Zionist.” According to the police report, the group entered the courtyard of the Mansion House at roughly 2:25 a.m.
The homes of other board members of the Brooklyn Museum were also defaced across the city that same morning.
The damage was presumed to be connected to a pro-Palestinian group that has been protesting at the museum, which the group connects to Israel’s assault on Palestinians in Gaza. Dozens of protesters were previously arrested after damaging some artwork in the museum’s lobby.
Neighbors said they were shocked at the vandalism. The Brooklyn Heights Association and elected officials including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) denounced the exhibition of antisemitism.
More than almost any other major NYC museum, the Brooklyn Museum has long been known for hosting culturally-diverse exhibitions, directly addressing issues of social justice and actively connecting to surrounding Central Brooklyn neighborhoods.
