NYPD investigates string of synagogue attacks in New York as possible hate crimes

New York, New York – The New York Police Department's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating six attacks on Jewish synagogues in the Bronx.

Glass doors and windows were smashed at the Riverdale Jewish Center in New York City.
Glass doors and windows were smashed at the Riverdale Jewish Center in New York City.  © IMAGO / Pacific Press Agency

The attacks occurred between Friday and Sunday, CNN reported.

According to police, the Riverdale Jewish Center and Riverdale Jewish Synagogue, also known as Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale, were each attacked twice. Young Israel of Riverdale and the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale were each attacked once.

Video footage seems to indicate that one person was behind all the attacks.

The incidents all occurred in the late hours of the night and early hours of the morning. No injuries were reported.

The Riverdale Jewish Center issued a statement, reading, "We are thankful that no one was hurt on either occasion. The fact that someone would specifically and repeatedly target houses of worship is of great distress to us all. An act of hate such as this is simply unacceptable."

"We hope that the perpetrator of these crimes will be apprehended swiftly and justice will be served to the fullest extent of the law," the statement continued.

Governor Andrew Cuomo also spoke out against the attacks: "I was appalled by a report that an individual threw rocks at glass windows and doors in two Bronx synagogues, smashing and breaking them. We have no tolerance for discriminatory acts that seek to divide us rather than bring us together."

The investigation is still underway. The NYPD is reportedly looking at four of the incidents as possible hate crimes.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Pacific Press Agency

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