Suspect arrested in Chicago after Jewish businesses and synagogues vandalised

A suspect has been arrested in Chicago after Jewish businesses were vandalised and a swastika was drawn on a synagogue.

The incidents took place over the weekend on the Northwest Side.

At 7:00 on Sunday, Police officers were reportedly called to a synagogue at 3635 West Devon Avenue where a man was kicking the side of the building and trying to break a window. 

Then at 17:00, an individual reportedly vandalised a synagogue and cargo container.

Rabbi Levi Notik said that residents were preparing meals for Holocaust survivors at the time that they discovered the graffiti on the F.R.E.E. synagogue. Rabbi Notik also noted that the individual responsible for the graffiti then became physical and used racial slurs. 

“Someone comes into the synagogue and says on his way to services he was jumped outside, it turns out it was connected.

“It’s difficult, but we’ll overcome this. We’ll get through it as a community. The way that we’ll overcome this darkness, this hate, is through love and kindness and positivity.”

He also thanked the police officers who investigated the matter, saying that “they did a tremendous job” before adding: “They were here very quick, had detectives here in minutes. Police already have one person in custody. It was incredible.”

Other incidents in the area include the windows of two Jewish businesses, Tol Kuv Kosher Foods at 2938 West Devon and the Tel Aviv Bakery at 2944 West Devon, being smashed on Saturday morning, the day of the Jewish Sabbath.

Other reports stated that synagogue windows were also broken in the areas of Devon and Monticello, also on Saturday.

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