Duo Who Damaged Menorah In Guilford Charged With Hate Crimes: Police

GUILFORD, CT — Two suspects have been identified after they intentionally damaged a Hanukkah menorah in the Guilford Town Green, authorities said on Saturday.

Steven Prinz Jr. and Troy Prinz, both of Guilford, were charged for the January incident that was investigated as a hate crime, police said.

The menorah had been on display for the Jewish holiday, which ran from late December into early January.

In the days after the Jan. 5 incident, a caller reported the damage to police but attributed it to high winds. But on Jan. 13, police received a report that the menorah was intentionally damaged.

Surveillance footage from the menorah owner showed two people deliberately damaging it overnight on Jan. 5, police said. The suspects knocked the menorah down and stomped on it, breaking several of its components, according to law enforcement.

The suspects concealed their identities. One appeared to wear a gas mask, while the other had a garment wrapped around his face, police said.

Steven Prinz Jr., 25, and Troy Prinz, 22, were charged with the following:

• intimidation based on bigotry or bias (second-degree)
• conspiracy to commit intimidation based on bigotry or bias (second-degree)
• criminal mischief (first-degree)
• conspiracy to commit criminal mischief (first-degree)

They were arrested and released on $25,000 bonds.