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NYPD investigating string of broken windows as hate crime

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A rampage leaving behind a string of broken windows across Riverdale has drawn the attention of the New York Police Department's Hate Crime Task Force. 

The New York Police Department says someone threw rocks and broke windows at Young Israel of Riverdale, the Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale at 475 W. 250th St., Chabad of Riverdale at 535 W. 246th St., and the Riverdale Jewish Center at 3700 Independence Ave.

That same person also broke the windows of three parked cars on West 239th Street.

Police don't know much about the person they believe broke the windows, but they were able to acquire some security footage, which is available by clicking here.

Local elected officials including U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman, state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and Councilman Eric Dinowitz released a joint statement Sunday condemning "in the strongest possible terms the hate crimes and vandalism that are occurring in Riverdale."

"No one shoudl be attacked or living in fear because of their race, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation. The threat toward synagogues and other Jewish institutions is real and we must treat these issues head on. Jewish people have been the victims of hate crimes and persecution for centuries, and this week's events are a somber reminder that we must all be vigilant in weeding out anti-Semitism."

Anyone with information about this person is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers hotline at (800) 577-8477, by visiting its website at NYPDCrimeStoppers.com, or on Twitter @NYPDTips.

All calls, police say, are strictly confidential.

More details to come in the April 29 print edition of The Riverdale Press.

NYPD, New York Police Department, 50th Precinct, Young Israel of Riverdale, Conservative Synagogue Adath Israel of Riverdale, CSAIR, Chabad of Riverdale, Riverdale Jewish Center, synagogues, hate crime,