NY Man Arrested Over Synagogue Burglary

A 23-year-old man was arrested on August 21 for allegedly breaking into a synagogue in Long Beach, NY and stealing Torah scrolls.

According to police, the man has been identified as Hunter (Alexander) McLerath. McLerath allegedly broke into the Chabad of the Beaches and vandalized the Ark and stole two Torah scrolls, crowns and chains. Two other Torah scrolls were also found on the floor of the synagogue. The two stolen Torah scrolls remain missing.

Good news: Suspect caught. Bad news: Two sefer torahs are still missing. pic.twitter.com/KAPerOR9io

— Johnny Kunza (@johnkunza) August 23, 2021

McLerath was initially arrested for allegedly walking around the beach wearing nothing but a prayer shawl before being released and hospitalized; after reviewing surveillance footage of the burglary, McLerath was arrested again and faces charges of burglary, criminal mischief and grand larceny.

At this time, the police believe that the burglary was not a hate crime; McLerath reportedly has a lengthy criminal history and multiple prior addresses.

Chabad of the Beaches Rabbi Eli Goodman told Newsday, “We are all in shock. As a rabbi, our role is to bring positivity and we have these greatest of challenges that have to think of how we grow as a community and rise above this.” 

Goodman launched a GoFundMe on August 22 to beef up security at the synagogue; thus far, $9,477 has been raised.

“We are appalled that a #Chabad synagogue was vandalized in Long Beach #NY,” Anti-Defamation League New York / New Jersey tweeted. “We are in touch with our partners [Nassau County Police Department] and [Chabad] as well as the Rabbi to assist.”

We are appalled that a #Chabad synagogue was vandalized in Long Beach #NY. We are in touch with our partners @NassauCountyPD and @Lubavitch as well as the Rabbi to assist. We reiterate our request to the public for information in this case. https://t.co/DvEbOFmre5

— ADL New York / New Jersey (@ADL_NYNJ) August 22, 2021