Glen Rock Police Probe Incidents At Church, Temple

GLEN ROCK, NJ - Police say they are investigating whether two suspicious incidents reported at local houses of worship are connected.

The most recent incident occurred on Dec. 24, when a man in his 60s walked into Good Shepherd Lutheran Church just before 1 p.m. and "began to inquire about the church in a manner which became concerning" to the office manager, according to Glen Rock Police Chief Dean Ackermann

The man "began to question as to whether the church permitted 'gays' to be part of the church and made several anti-gay comments," the chief said. "Upon leaving the subject left a box full of religious pamphlets near the front door."

Glen Rock detectives are investigating the incident to determine if the man is the same person who entered the Sikh Temple on Dec. 21 just before 11 p.m. and behaved unusually, Ackermann said.

"While he did not make any overt threats, the man wandered around the interior of the temple repeatedly stating that they were doing a great job and making a 'thumbs up' gesture," according to a police blotter provided by the department. "The man, who was described only as a white male, departed the area in a white Chevy SUV with 'Jesus Christ is King' and other words in Spanish on the windows and bumper stickers, as well as an American flag."

Anyone with further information on either incident should contact Glen Rock Police at 201-652-3800.

See Also: Bergen Steps Up Patrol After Rockland Stabbings

The region has seen an uptick in hate crimes over the past few weeks. On Saturday evening, five people were injured at a a stabbing at a Hanukkah celebration Saturday evening in Rockland County, NY.

On Dec. 10, a shooting rampage at a Jersey City kosher market left six people - three people inside the deli, a police officer and the two killers - dead.

See More:'Hate' Note Reportedly Left By Killer In Jersey City Killings

There have also been several anti-Semitic attacks reported in New York City the first days of the Jewish holidays.

Related: String Of Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Prompts Cop Surge