Vandals Spray-Paint Anti-Semitic Graffiti on Brooklyn Bais Yaakov

By Yehudit Garmaise 

  The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is searching for two vandals who were caught on a surveillance camera yesterday spray-painting a swastika and the words, “Ace” and “Rico,” on the outside wall of Mesilas Bais Yaakov High School in South Slope Brooklyn.

   One of the suspects has been described at a man who is 5’10, 170 pounds, and has a medium complexion. He was last seen wearing a blue jacket, blue jeans, black sneakers, and carrying a backpack. 

   The second suspect, who was described as 5’10, 170 pounds, and having a medium complexion, has a full beard, and was wearing a black ski mask that covered his face. He was also wearing a black shirt, a button-down jacket, blue jeans, brown sneakers, and he was carrying a satchel.

   The NYPD has not yet made any arrests for this crime.

    “Despicable,” Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted last night. “This kind of hatred has no home in our city.

     “To the Mesilas Bais Yaakov community: your city stands with you. We denounce this vile act of anti-Semitism with one voice. If you have any information on this, please contact @NYPDHateCrimes.”

    To join and bolster the efforts of the NYPD, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press release that he has directed the Hate Crimes Task Force of the New York State Police to offer assistance and resources to the ongoing investigation into the anti-Semitic graffiti.

    "I am disgusted by reports of anti-Semitic graffiti that was recently found scrawled on the side of Mesilas Bais Yaakov in Brooklyn,” Gov. Cuomo wrote. “This bigoted attack — which came as the family of New York celebrated Hanukkah — is simply despicable, and the fact that these vandals targeted an institution focused on educating our children makes their act of hate even more reprehensible. 

   “Over the last nine months, New Yorkers have shown that we are both united and loving, and we will not let those who wish to divide us succeed.

   “In New York, we are committed to protecting those who are targeted because of who they are or what they believe, and I am directing the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to immediately offer assistance in this investigation."