Anti-Semitism suspected in N.J. store attack

Police have arrested a 52-year-old suspect in the vandalization of Jack’s Hardware and several other Jewish-owned businesses in New Brunswick, N.J., according to an article in the Daily Targum.

The front windows of Trio Gifts, Judaica Gallery, Jerusalem Pizza, Jack’s Hardware and Park’s Place Kosher Family Restaurant, all located on Raritan Avenue, were found damaged and smashed Nov. 29, according to the article. A preliminary investigation found that all the businesses were owned by Jewish merchants.

Richard Green, a resident of New Brunswick, has been charged with five counts of criminal mischief offense and may face additional charges if the crime is upgraded to a bias crime.

Several of the merchants interviewed by the newspaper said they are waiting to get all the facts before deciding whether the motive was anti-Semitism.

David Krul, owner of Jack’s Hardware, said: “The initial reaction was, who did it? Will it happen again? But overall, we were grateful that no one was hurt and the damages were all repairable.”

Authorities are also investigating similar incidents of vandalism at two student Jewish organizations, Rutgers Hillel and the Chabad House, at nearby Rutgers University. Windows were allegedly broken at both locations Nov. 27.