Three men were arrested at Penn State University for the theft and vandalism of the nine-foot menorah in front of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity house.
State College police received a report on the first night of Hanukkah, Dec. 2, about the vandalization of the menorah and have since filed three criminal complaints at a district court against those responsible.
Penn State’s college newspaper the Daily Collegian reports that “The menorah was stolen from the fraternity house at 328 E. Fairmount Ave.” and that “a Zeta Beta Tau brother witnessed the incident. In an attempt to stop the individuals, the brother was then assaulted, according to a criminal complaint.”
Police are still looking for suspects in this vandalism case we first told you about on Friday. Someone removed and damaged a menorah at the Zeta Beta Tau house at Penn State. pic.twitter.com/ID2QTkg4BB
— Centre County Report (@CentreCountyRep) December 2, 2018
According to a statement provided by State College Police, David Kovacs, 20, Thomas Callahan, 19, and John Hamlin,19, “have been charged with misdemeanor theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, and criminal mischief for their roles in the incident. Charges are pending against a fourth 20-year-old suspect.” All are Penn State students with the exception of Hamlin.
The Zeta Beta Tau president arranged for the return of the menorah to the original owners, prior to police involvement in the matter. The three men have cooperated with the police and the fraternity has taken internal action against them.
At this time the police said ethnic intimidation was not believed to be involved in the case.
Kovacs, Callahan and Hamlin have preliminary hearings set for Jan. 16, 2019.
