Reward offered for help in identifying man accused of hate crime in Brookline

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Brookline Police and the Anti-Defamation League of New England are asking for help to identify a man who they say committed a hate crime.

Officials said that on April 5 at 1:42 a.m., the man defaced the front door of the Chabad Center of Brookline with anti-Semitic graffiti in Russian and a symbol resembling a swastika.

They said they believe the man approached the Center from the direction of Coolidge Corner and left toward Commonwealth Avenue.

The Anti-Defamation League of New England is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the identification and prosecution of the person responsible.

“This antisemitic act represents a direct threat to the Jewish community and is a reminder that hate never rests, even in a pandemic,” said Robert Trestan, regional director at ADL New England. “We are grateful to Brookline Police who remain on the frontlines, sacrificing themselves to keep us safe.”

Anyone with information regarding this individual is asked to call the Brookline Police Department at (617) 730-2222 or Detective Brendan Kelliher at (617) 730-2791 (bkelliher@brooklinema.gov) and reference Brookline Police Case #2020-1523.

© 2020 Cox Media Group