Vandals Deface Synagogue and Police Car $20,000 Reward Offered

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a pair of vandals whose images were caught on surveillance tape spray-painting anti-Semitic graffiti on a wall of a Jewish synagogue and a police vehicle.  In addition, the Los Angeles City Council will offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individuals responsible for this hate crime incident.

The hate crime incidents occurred in November 2007.  The first incident was discovered by a secretary of the synagogue who reported an anti-Semitic picture of a devil with horns spray-painted on the outside cement wall of the Beth Israel Temple located at 8056 Beverly Boulevard.  In the second incident, two members who opened the synagogue doors for services, reported suspects spray-painted symbols of a peace and anarchist sign on the rear passenger window and door of a police car parked in front of the synagogue.  Three months ago, the synagogue was vandalized and the police car was used as a decoy to deter further graffiti, detectives said.

Both suspects are described as White males 18-25 years of age.

Anyone with information regarding this vandalism incident is asked to contact Wilshire Hate Crime Detective Ron Cade at 213-922-8228.  On weekends or during off-hours, calls may be directed to a 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (529-3855).