A Hoboken man has been arrested for painting “Free Palestine” graffiti at the United Synagogue of Hoboken last week, authorities said.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I would like to thank the Hoboken Police Department and the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office for their swift action and thorough investigation which resulted in this arrest,”
Mayor Ravi Bhalla said in a statement.
“I will never stop reminding the world that Hoboken is a fair and welcoming City and while we celebrate free speech, we do not tolerate any form of harassment or intimidation. I look forward to continuing to work with our Police Chief and Public Safety Director to ensure all of our residents remain safe and feel secure, especially in our places of worship.”
Daniel Estreicher, 26, of Hoboken, was charged with bias intimidation and criminal mischief, the Hoboken Police Department announced.
The graffiti, which read “Free Palestine” in green lettering, was found by synagogue staff on a cement ledge in the morning hours of Wednesday, July 24. Sgt. Anthony Russo, Detective John Quinones, and Police Officers Chelsea Tamborra and Jesse Castellano responded.
An investigation by the Hoboken Police Department’s Detective Bureau led by Tamborra, and in conjunction with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, revealed Estreicher to be the actor.
He turned himself into Hoboken Police Headquarters at approximately 2:10 p.m. yesterday, where he was processed on charges of bias intimidation and criminal mischief before being released with a summons and a court date.
“Throughout the year, the Hoboken Police Department has dealt with incidents that nearly crossed the line from free speech to criminality, but when a synagogue, or any house of worship, is desecrated by graffiti, it is not just unacceptable; it is illegal,” added Public Safety Director Ken Ferrante.
“I thank Chief Aguiar and his investigators for their immediate response to this incident, and the work they did in bringing the offender to justice.”
The Hoboken PD announced they were investigating the incident, which was condemned by several local officials, one week ago.
“I am proud of, and commend, the team of dedicated investigators who responded and quickly solved this case, which had many in our community on edge,” exclaimed Police Chief Steven Aguiar.
“Their efforts, and those of our officers every day, send a clear message that hate, and intimidation have no place in Hoboken.”
The incident is horrible and I am glad the police caught the perp.
But it is ironic that this mayor makes a statement that he is open to free speech. When that is the last thing he is, he tries to suppress any dissent and will not listen to any other points of view, probably due to his asberger and social disability.
Great job quoting the state so many times all while deliberately ignoring the gen-o-cide, ethnic cleansing, and mass rape being committed against Palestinians by the entity created in their country for Jews only using weapons provided by the US, all of which is supported by the synagogue’s congregation. Doesn’t make the graffiti right, but you did really good leaving out all that background for your readers. The state thanks you for your service.
Jew- hatred & ignorance rears its head- you clearly know nothing about modern Israel & its history. 2 million Arab Palestinians are Israeli citizens- the dozen Israeli kids killed last week by Hezbollah were Druze- Muslims. Israeli society is ethnically diverse and welcomes LGBTQ from neighboring Arab states where they are marked for death. Israel will defend itself against terrorists , as America did after 9/11. No difference. Hamas & Hezbollah are supplied with cash & weapons by America’s enemies, fighting Israel as a proxy for the West to destroy the only democracy in the ME. Since you don’t like Jews, maybe you should volunteer for one of the many terrorist orgs in the US sponsoring the disgusting encampments across America’s college campuses. How bout it, keyboard warrior.
Daniel Estreicher of Hoboken turned himself in to the HPD according press reports