Police search beach for stolen Torah scrolls in Long Island

On Tuesday, police divers searched the waters around a Long Island beach for Torah scrolls and artifacts that are believed to have been stolen.

A 23-year-old man was charged with burglary and other charges after two Torahs went missing from Chabad of the Beaches at Temple Beth El in Long Beach. The man, who was arrested by Long Beach police last month, was reportedly found naked, apart from wearing a Jewish prayer shawl, and was holding a spear.

Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said that he did not believe the incident to be caused by antisemitic intent, and noted that the man appeared to be under mental distress. Commissioner Ryder said: “There is a rise of antisemitism around the country, but not so much in Nassau County and we want to keep it that way.”

The man is expected to appear in court on Thursday. 

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