Defendant Charged in 76-Count Indictment that Includes Hate Crime Charges
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that a Bronx man has been indicted on multiple charges, including Criminal Trespass as a Hate Crime, for defacing multiple synagogues in Riverdale earlier this year.
District Attorney Clark said, “The defendant allegedly went to multiple synagogues in the Riverdale section of the Bronx and vandalized property. Those shameful incidents brought fear and terror to worshippers. To our Bronx Jewish community: we support you and we are also horrified about those attacks. We live in a vibrant, diverse community, and we are united against these appalling acts.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Jordan Burnette, 30, of 3333 Hudson Parkway, was arraigned today on a 76-count indictment charging Criminal Trespass in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, Trespass, second-degree Criminal Mischief, Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime, first-degree Aggravated Harassment, third-degree Criminal Mischief, Criminal Mischief in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, fourth-degree Criminal Mischief, Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree as a Hate Crime, third-degree Burglary, Burglary in the Third Degree as a Hate Crime, Petit Larceny, Petit Larceny as a Hate Crime, and fifth-degree Criminal Possession of Stolen Property before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Lester Adler. He is due back in court on January 11, 2021.
According to the investigation, at approximately 5:45 p.m. on April 21, 2021, the defendant allegedly entered the Riverdale Jewish Center without permission and activated the fire alarm. The next day, the defendant allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door of the premises, shattering the window and damaging the door. On April 23, 2021, the defendant went to the Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale and allegedly threw rocks at one of the front windows, shattering the glass.
At approximately 10:25 p.m. on April 24, 2021, the defendant allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door and widows of the Young Israel of Riverdale Synagogue, damaging the property.
At approximately 10:50 p.m. on April 24, 2021, Burnette allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door of the Conservative Adath Synagogue, as well as the office windows and a side window, shattering glass. Approximately five minutes later, the defendant returned to Chabad Lubavitch of Riverdale and allegedly threw rocks at two windows, breaking the glass.
According to the investigation, on the night of April 24, 2021, the defendant went back to the Riverdale Jewish Center and allegedly threw rocks at the front glass door and side windows of the premises. On May 1, 2021, Burnette returned to the Conservative Adath Synagogue and allegedly took a bicycle from the storage shed. The defendant also allegedly damaged several religious books.
District Attorney Clark also thanked Detectives Alfred Genao and Eric Pena of the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
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