LIDO BEACH, N.Y. (WCBS 880) — Visitors at a Long Island beach are being asked to be on the lookout for several religious artifacts that were stolen from a synagogue and possibly thrown into the ocean.
Police said a synagogue on Walnut Street in Long Beach – which is currently under renovation – was broken into around 11:30 p.m. on Aug.
21.
The alleged thief – identified as 23-year-old Hunter McLerath, also known as Alexander McElrath, of Staten Island – stole two Torahs and other valuable religious items and caused damage to the Ark inside the temple, police said.
He is facing charges of burglary, criminal mischief and grand larceny.
It’s not clear what McLerath did with the items, however, officials believe he tossed the artifacts into the ocean at Lido Beach.
“When the initial burglary was reported, the individual of interest was first discovered at the beach wearing a sacred shul. That is why we have the sense that maybe other items have been down there,” Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin told WCBS-TV.
Town officials told the outlet that silver crowns from Torahs had already washed ashore, and they are hopeful the rest of the items will follow.
The Town of Hempstead has already launched a patrol of lifeguards to “comb the coastline in search of the missing sanctuary items.”
Clavin says the Parks Department will be notifying beachgoers to be on the lookout for the missing items, and hopefully somebody is able to find them.
Hempstead Councilman Bruce Blakeman is also asking beachgoers to be vigilant and keep an eye out for the missing artifacts.
“It is a sad day for us all when members of a faith community are made to feel unsecure in their most sacred of spaces,” said Blakeman. “I ask all members of the public who may be visiting Town of Hempstead beaches in the coming days to stay on the lookout for religious artifacts you may come across that appear linked to this vandalism incident, and report such sightings to our township patrols or other relevant authorities.”
Members of the public are urged to contact the Nassau County Police Department at (516) 573-8800 or the City of Long Beach Police Department at (516) 431-1800 to report any relevant information on the case.