Apr 14, 2008 12:30 am US/Eastern
Teens Arrested For Vandalizing Yorktown Synagogue
YORKTOWN, N.Y. (CBS) ―
A quiet summer time synagogue nestled in the woods along Lake Mohegan
has suffered extensive damage from vandals. Walls have been defaced
with slogans, a torah scroll was left torn and twisted on the floor, an
antique menorah was ripped from its stand, and swastikas were scrawled
on the walls.
Yorktown police are estimating the damage will run into the thousands of dollars. Westchester residents are speaking out after their community was attacked with a hate crime.
"It's really depressing, very upsetting," an outraged synagogue congregant told CBS 2.
Community members visited the scene Sunday, and joined with others to speak out against the desecration and to sort out their feelings.
"The whole community, interculturally, interracially, stands together," said Mohegan Park Jewish Center President Roger Kahn. "We don't tolerate acts like this."
Police quickly apprehended three suspects - teenage girls for the vandalism.
Barbara Nokaj, 18, Michelle Bushell, 17, and a 15-year-old whose name was withheld because she is a minor.
The quick arrests came thanks to a quick thinking congregant -- Alan Most. Most was walking his dog when he discovered the damage and observed the girls fleeing the scene.
"I got the license plate number, ran back into the house, called police and returned back to the synagogue," Most told CBS 2.
The congregants face a large cleanup - not just paint splattered on the walls, but authorities ordered removal of a wall panel with a large swastika as evidence. But more than the cleanup, congregants of the synagogue are disturbed by the senselessness of the crime.
"I can't believe they really understand what they did," Kahn said.
With Passover approaching, congregants are grateful for the outpouring of support from their neighbors, but mindful that the fight against intolerance still needs to be waged.
The three suspects have been charged with third degree burglary - a felony. Police have not yet labeled this a hate crime.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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