Jews, Muslims Targeted by Hate, Theft During Holy Month

(Left) A large concrete slab was hurled through a window on Matthews Avenue during Passover. (Right) The poor box at the Bronx Muslim Center was stolen and smashed in one of two robberies. -Photos by David Greene

By David Greene 

Bronx Voice 

April 27, 2023

BRONX - As millions celebrated Ramadan, Passover and Easter which all fell on the same week on the calendar-- one man tossed a brick through a window with a Jewish flag and a pair of individuals were being sought in connection with a series of robberies at local Mosques.

Officers from the 49th Precinct were called to 2121 Matthews Avenue near Pelham Parkway, at 2:45 p.m. on April 7, after a slab of concrete was tossed through a second-floor window.

One police source said of the incident, "An unknown suspect intentionally damaged a victim's window by throwing a rock." The victim, Rochelle Shapiro, has lived in the 6-story building since it opened in 1964.

Shapiro recalled, "I was getting ready for Shabbat, it was the second day of Passover... and I looked up and boom," when the large slab of concrete was hurled through her window, narrowly missing her.

Shapiro added, "Because I was standing there, that could be a coincidence, because he could have done it because he sees the Israeli flag, they're in Ramadan, there's a terrible war going on over there right now.”

Asked if she planned to remove her flag from her now replaced window, Shapiro replied, "Absolutely not. I'm going to put up a sign saying you can't kill us, meaning all Jews.”

The NYPD continues to investigate the incident as a hate crime.

Meanwhile, police have apprehended one suspect and are looking for one additional man who they say are responsible for the break ins at three local Mosques, where money held in a donation box was taken on three separate occasions during the holy month of Ramadan.

Police confirmed two thefts reported at the Bronx Muslim Center on Davidson Avenue in Kingsbridge occurred on March 27 and again on Monday, April 3. In both cases, an individual entered the location and removed cash from a donation box.

Police also confirmed a third incident at The Abrar Masjid Mosque located on Bailey Avenue in Kingsbridge Heights where a man stole $600 from the donation box.

On March 6, police announced the arrest of Abdoulie Koma, 21, of East 180 Street in West Farms and Koma has been charged with a single count of burglary.

According to NYPD statistics, the Bronx has had 8 hate crimes reported since January 1 and are currently up 200% over the previous year. Police statistics show there have been 894 burglaries since the start of the year, an increase of 2.4%.