MAHWAH – For the third time in recent months, police are investigating damage to a ritualistic Jewish boundary erected on the town’s utility poles.
Chief James Batelli said the latest incident happened on Sunday at round 7:25 in the area of Airmont Avenue and Masonicus Road. The chief said the eruv was “Broken and torn away from the pole.” In images of the incident, Batelli said a middle-aged male in a black shirt and dark hair can be seen standing near the pole.
In the pictures, Batelli said the woman can be seen standing near a vehicle he described as a black Audi Q5 or Q7. He said the car appears to have a New Jersey registration with license plates possibly starting with W26. The eruv is a religious boundary that allows observant Orthodox Jews to carry objects outside their home during the Sabbath and holidays.
As with the other prior incidents, the chief said Sunday’s damage is being investigated as a bias crime.
http://nj1015.com/mahwah-police-investigating-new-round-of-damage-to-public-jewish-boundary/