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Update: Arrests Made in Rockville/Potomac Area Vandalisms

For Immediate Release: Friday, May 9, 2014

On May 2, the Montgomery County Police Department issued a crime alert highlighting a series of vandalisms that had occurred in the Rockville and Potomac areas during the month of April.

Three of the incidents were classified as hate incidents.  These three incidents, which occurred between April 18 and April 21, are as follows:

  • Montgomery Child Care Association, 11614 Seven Locks Road - a swastika and "All Jews Burn" was drawn on two buses
  • Young Israel of Potomac, 11618 Seven Locks Road - a swastika was drawn on the synagogue sign
  • Residence in 11100 block of Old Coach Road - "SS" and a swastika were drawn on the windshield of a vehicle
During the course of the investigation, 1st District detectives were able to obtain surveillance video depicting the suspects in these incidents.  With the help of a School Resource Officer, the suspects were identified as students at a local high school.

Yesterday, at approximately 12:30 p.m., two juvenile suspects, one age 16 and one age 17, were arrested and charged with the above three incidents.  In addition, the suspects are believed to be responsible for a number of the other vandalism incidents that occurred last month.

At this afternoon's press conference, County Executive Isiah Leggett congratulated Chief Manger and his investigators for "Their arrests in this recent series of hate-based crimes against members of our Jewish community and at some of our area synagogues.  We strongly value diversity in Montgomery County and our partnership with our faith community. Hate-based acts and crimes will not be tolerated in Montgomery County.”

Chief Manger described these crimes as, "Particularly ugly and hurtful acts of hate.  He stated that, "These crimes will not be tolerated by our community or the police.  Our gratitude goes out to Rabbi Singer and all of the members of his congregation for their support and assistance. I also thank Sgt. Rosario and his team for their investigation and arrests."

Rabbi Yosef Singer of Congregation Young Israel Ezras Israel of Potomac thanked the police department in saying, "We wish to express our profound gratitude to Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger and his staff for the hard work and professionalism they displayed in apprehending the perpetrators of the recent act of anti-Semitic vandalism committed against our synagogue and community. We are especially appreciative of their genuine concern for the sensitivities of the Jewish community. The quick and effective response of the MCPD show that these acts of hatred will not be tolerated."

UPDATED 4:44 p.m. 5/9/14:  Ages of juveniles have been corrected.

JMS



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Release ID: 14-133
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases