A menorah was broken in Ronkonkoma while another was damaged and tossed into a Setauket pond during the first days of Hanukkah in what Suffolk County police are investigating as potential hate crimes.
In Ronkonkoma, Suffolk police detectives say the Ronkonkoma Chamber of Commerce reported a menorah at the entrance to the Raynor Beach County Park on Ronkonkoma Avenue was damaged on Saturday, Dec. 12 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The base of the menorah was broken and left lying on the ground, say detectives.
In Setauket, a menorah located at the intersection of Main Street and Old Field Road was reported missing sometime between Friday, Dec. 11, and the morning of Saturday, Dec. 12, say detectives. Members of Chabad of Stony Brook searched the area and discovered the damaged menorah at the bottom of Setauket Mill Pond, adjacent to the location from which it was taken.
“We deplore these acts against the Jewish faith during this holy season and urge anyone with information to come forward so we can mete out the appropriate punishment,” said County Executive Steve Levy.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to call the Hate Crimes Unit at 631-852-6323 or call anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will remain confidential.
