Bias Intimidation, Harassment, Theft: Princeton Police Blotter

The following is a summary of incidents as reported by Princeton Police:

PRINCETON, NJ - On Sept. 22, at 3:38 p.m., patrols responded to police headquarters for a report of a stolen laptop valued at $1,000. The victim reported that a 2022 Apple MacBook Air, which was provided by the school, was stolen sometime between Sept. 17, at 11:40 a.m. and Sept. 18 at 8 a.m. The school’s IT department later confirmed the device had been wiped from the system. There are no suspects at this time.

On Sept. 22, at 1:46 p.m. patrols responded to headquarters on the report of bias intimidation and harassment. The victim reported purchasing a can of Manischewitz Matzo Meal from a supermarket and, upon opening it, discovered a sticker under the plastic lid depicting a large hamster wearing a yarmulke with a Jewish star. The victim reported feeling harassed, particularly in light of the upcoming Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah. There are no suspects at this time.

On Sept. 22, at 9 a.m., patrols responded to headquarters for a report of bias intimidation. The victim reported that an anti-Semitic sticker had been discovered inside a “little free library” located at their residence. The sticker, approximately 2”x2” in size, contained text equating the term “antisemite” with being “a good person” and referencing a variety of political and social issues. The timeframe of this incident is between June 26 and Sept. 22. The victim also reported that a similar sticker had been found in the same location on June 26, but was not reported at that time. There are no suspects at this time.

The Princeton Police Department is investigating multiple incidents of criminal mischief and bias intimidation that occurred on Sept. 22 and 23.

• On Sept. 22, around 10:10 a.m., officers responded to Smoyer Park, where unknown actor(s) had written “Free Palestine – From the River to the Sea! Death to the IDF!” on a municipal picnic table with a white paint marker. The timeframe for this incident is unknown.
• Around 11:42 a.m., a resident reported graffiti on a fence along the gravel walkway between Linwood Circle and Grover Avenue. The graffiti was created using a black marker and read- “FREE GAZA ISRAEL STARVES CHILDREN.”
• Around 12:41 p.m., officers responded to Grover Park, where graffiti was written with a black marker on the mirror and walls inside the men’s bathroom. The unknown suspect wrote "Death to Israel. IDF = ICE = KKK. Israel kills children. Free Palestine. F*** ICE. " The incident timeframe was determined to be between 6:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on Sept. 22.
• On Sept. 23, around 7:25 a.m., officers responded to Community Park North, where graffiti, written with a black marker, was discovered inside the men’s bathroom. The unknown actor(s) wrote "Who cares about Charlie Kirk? Israel shoots 20 kids a day! Communism will win! Death to the IDF. Free Palestine. Israel shoots kids in the head. Israel starves kids. From the River to the Sea. Global intifada. We give Israel $4 billion a year. IDF=ICE=KKK." The incident timeframe was determined to be between 6:30 a.m. and 8:10 p.m. on Sept. 22.

The Department is actively investigating and seeking to identify the individual(s) responsible. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Princeton Police Department.

Have a correction or news tip? Email sarah.salvadore@patch.com