Police here have announced the arrest of four youths in the swastika smearing of Congregation Beth Sholom last Monday, and said the smearings appeared to have been a “prank.” One of the youths was 17 and the others 16. Police said that the idea of daubing paint on the synagogue was that of the 17-year-old, and that he did the actual painting. All four names were withheld. Eighteen swastikas had been painted on the synagogue.
The 17-year-old was taken to the children’s shelter at Bergen Pines County Hospital. The other three were released in custody of their parents. They will be charged with juvenile delinquency in Hackensack juvenile court.
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