Posted on 10/26/16
| News Source: JP Updates
The New York Police Department is investigating the theft of four Torah scrolls from Avenue O Synagogue in Brooklyn.
According to police, the burglary occured Tuesday morning on Simchat Torah when a man broke into the shul and stole the Torah scrolls. The scrolls are worth approximately $240,000.
The NYPD Major Case Squad detectives have been notified about the incident and are working with the 66th Precinct detectives on the case, a NYPD official told JP.
The synagogue’s surveillance video captured the man breaking into the shul and investigators are working on identifying him, the official said. The official added that it’s a strange case because the man put on a yarmulke when he entered the synagogue.
Councilman David Greenfield is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for the theft.
“It is deeply saddening that such a crime could occur at any time of year, but it is especially upsetting that this took place during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah – when observant Jews around the world are celebrating the annual completion of the weekly reading of the Torah portion,” Greenfield said. “I encourage anyone who may have information about this crime to reach out to the NYPD Crime Stoppers tip line at 1-800-577-TIPS.”
43082463-34a6-4d25-b5b2-317f93101f23 from BaltimoreJewishLife.com on Vimeo.