East Bay Anti-Semitic Hate Crime Suspect Arrested

BERKELEY, CA – A hate crime suspect was arrested in connection with an incident at a Berkeley synagogue last week, police said.

The suspect, identified by authorities as a 37-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of willfully threatening a person based on their perceived characteristics, which is considered a hate crime, the Berkeley Police Department said in a statement.

At around noon on Saturday the suspect entered Congregation Netivot Shalom and yelled threatening anti-Semitic statements against congregation members – interrupting the morning service – according to police.

Responding officers shortly afterward found the suspect in front of Chabad House yelling at the front of the synagogue after being prevented from entering.

A hate crime is a crime against a person, group, or property motivated by the victim's real or perceived protected social group.

For more information about hate crimes and how to report such incidents visit the California Attorney General's website.