Arrested

Dear Friends,

A man believed to be responsible for the firebombing of the synagogue and rabbi’s home in Rutherford and the arson attempt at the synagogue in Paramus has been arrested. We are grateful to the FBI, Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, the New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office and all the members of local law enforcement who participated in identifying and apprehending this suspect. We pray that they have found the right man and that these violent attacks will cease.

It appears, however, that this man is not being charged in conjunction with the vandalism perpetrated against the synagogues in Maywood and Hackensack. As always, we remain vigilant and will continue our security measures at Temple Sinai. We are grateful to Chief Michael Bruno and the Tenafly police for their support and assistance.

See below for the press release issued today by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s office.

L’Shalom – May we all live in peace and safety,

Rabbi Jordan Millstein

ARREST MADE IN SYNAGOGUE FIREBOMBINGS

Bergen County Prosecutor John L. Molinelli announced today the arrest of 19 year old Anthony M. Graziano of 330 Westervelt Place, Lodi, New Jersey, in connection with the January 11, 2012, attempted murder of Rabbi Neil Schuman and his family, and the associated firebombing of the Rutherford synagogue. He has also been charged with the January 3, 2012, arson and firebombing of the Temple K’Hal Adath Jeshrun of Paramus. The charges are the result of a joint investigation conducted by members of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, under the direction of Chief Steven Cucciniello; the Rutherford Police Department; the Paramus Police Department; the New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office, Division of Criminal Justice, Jeffrey Chiesa, Attorney General and Stephen Taylor, Director; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Newark Field Office, Michael Ward, Special Agent in Charge.

On Friday, January 20, 2012, streaming video and associated still photographs were released to the media in an effort to get the public’s assistance in identifying a man wanted for questioning in connection with the Rutherford attempted murder and arson. Several initial tips failed to identify the individual. On Monday, January 23, 2012, the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit received a number of tips regarding the identity of the individual captured on store surveillance tape. These tipsters identified the individual seen on the video as 19 year old Anthony M. Graziano of 330 Westervelt Place, Lodi, New Jersey. After confirming that it was in fact Graziano who is seen on the security video purchasing a number of components of the incendiary device used in the Rutherford attack, police located Graziano at his Lodi home. Detectives interviewed Graziano, as well as numerous relatives and friends.

Police also executed a search warrant on the home, recovering items of evidence.

Anthony M. Graziano has been charged with nine counts of first degree attempted murder, one count of first degree Bias Intimidation and one count of first degree Aggravated Arson for the Rutherford incident. He has been charged with first degree Aggravated Arson, first degree Bias Intimidation and third degree Arson for the Paramus incident. Bail was set at $5,000,000 with no 10% option.

As with all defendants, Anthony Graziano is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Further, Prosecutor Molinelli would like to thank the Rutherford and Paramus Police Departments, the State Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in this successful joint investigation.