NEW YORK — A vandal smashed through the fence of a Staten Island synagogue while two accomplices sat in an SUV and watched in what the New York Police Department is investigating as a hate crime.
The crew broke through the fence outside the Congregation Toras Emes of Staten Island Synagogue in Oakwood about 12:30 a.m. Saturday, a surveillance photo released by the NYPD shows.
A large blue sign on the side of the building on Hylan Boulevard by Montreal Avenue makes it clear it’s a synagogue.
The vandal got out of the backseat of a white Honda SUV and ran through the PVC fence, damaging it in the process, cops said.
He hopped back in the SUV and the driver drove off north on Hylan Boulevard, police said.
Surveillance footage released by authorities shows the skinny vandal wearing a yellow hoodie and black pants. The SUV driver wore a red shirt while the front-seat passenger had on a white shirt.
Police are asking the public’s help identifying the men and tracking them down. The NYPD’s Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
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