Metro

Windows, doors smashed at four Jewish centers in the Bronx: cops

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Published April 25, 2021
Updated April 26, 2021, 1:06 p.m. ET

Four Jewish centers in the Bronx have recently been pelted with rocks — prompting an investigation by NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force, cops said Sunday.

The Riverdale Jewish Center, Chabad of Riverdale, Young Israel of Riverdale and Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale were attacked Friday and Saturday, police said. 

An unknown male was seen throwing rocks at Chabad of Riverdale at 535 West 246th Street just after midnight Friday, cops said.

A short time later, a suspect was seen throwing two rocks at the front doors of the Riverdale Jewish Center at 3700 Independence Avenue, causing the doors to shatter, cops said. Windows at the center were then broken around 11:45 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday, windows were also smashed at both Young Israel of Riverdale and the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, cops said.

A broken glass is seen in a Bronx Jewish Center that was allegedly pelted with rocks
A broken glass is seen in a Bronx Jewish Center that was allegedly pelted with rocks.

The motives for the attacks were unknown but the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating, cops said.

“The investigations are active and ongoing by the 50th Precinct Detective Squad and the Hate Crime Task Force,” a statement from the NYPD said.

A community source told The Algemeiner, which first reported on the incidents, that there was a “heavy police presence” in the area.

The city has seen an increase in hate crimes over the past year, but hateful acts have risen most sharply among Asian Americans, according to police statistics.