Police Arrest Teens For Anti-Semitic Graffiti In Potomac, Rockville

Police Chief Thomas Manger (file photo)Montgomery County Police on Friday announced two 16-year-olds were arrested and charged for drawing anti-semitic messages on a synagogue, buses and a home in Potomac and Rockville.

According to police, the two teenagers are believed to be responsible for a number of other incidents in April. Police did not release the names of the two, who officers arrested on Wednesday after seeing surveillance video.

Police said that between April 18 and April 21, the two drew a swastika and wrote “All Jews Burn” on two buses at the Montgomery Child Care Association (11614 Seven Locks Rd.). They also drew a swastika on the sign for Young Israel of Potomac synagogue next door and a home in the 11100 block of Old Coach Road, police said. The Old Coach Road drawing including the message “SS,” according to police.

Police Chief Thomas Manger held a press conference Friday afternoon with County Executive Isiah Leggett and Rabbi Yosef Singer of Young Israel of Potomac.

“We wish to express our profound gratitude to Montgomery County Police Chief Tom Manger and his staff for the hard work and professionalism they displayed in apprehending the perpetrators of the recent act of anti-Semitic vandalism committed against our synagogue and community,” Singer said, according to a police department press release. “We are especially appreciative of their genuine concern for the sensitivities of the Jewish community. The quick and effective response of the MCPD show that these acts of hatred will not be tolerated.”

Detectives got surveillance video of the suspects then identified the two with the help of a School Resource Office, according to police.

Manger called the vandalism “particularly ugly and hurtful acts of hate.”

Leggett thanked the cops for making the arrests.

“Their arrests in this recent series of hate-based crimes against members of our Jewish community and at some of our area synagogues,” Leggett said, according to the police department press release. “We strongly value diversity in Montgomery County and our partnership with our faith community. Hate-based acts and crimes will not be tolerated in Montgomery County.”

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