A man was arrested for attacking a Jewish couple who were walking to a synagogue in Beverly Hills, police said.
On Dec. 9 just after 9 a.m., officers with the Beverly Hills Police Department responded to North Rexford Drive and North Santa Monica for a reported assault with a deadly weapon. Officers found Raphy Nissel with “lacerations on his head.”
Rebecca Nissel, Raphy’s wife, told KTLA the suspect hit her husband with a belt.
“He held it in his hand,” she said. “He hit my husband over the head, and he yelled, ‘Give me your earrings, Jew.’”
Jarris Jay Silagi, 44, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery, hate crime, and elder abuse.
"Our officers quickly apprehended the suspect and he is in custody," Beverly Hills Police Department Chief Mark Stainbrook said. "This despicable act of hate against a member of our community will not be tolerated."
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The couple’s son, Alan Nissel, told KNX News’ Jon Baird that his father managed to chase the suspect even after he was hit in the head.
“Look, you call my father certain names and it's water off of the duck's back,” he said. “But if you call my father a dirty Jew or anything like that, he's going to be upset.”
He added that while his mother was ok, she’s more agitated about the whole incident.
“She was there as the bystander, but I think she's proud of his response even though maybe it's not technically the right thing to do,” he said. I think when somebody asks you for jewelry, you just give it to them and my father would be the first to confirm that. But in retrospect, thankfully the police was there, people were there and things turned out as best as they could have turned out.”
Nissel also noted that his dad did need staples in his head, but despite being attacked he made it to the synagogue to do a reading.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X, “The individual responsible for this vile act is in custody and must be held fully accountable to the law.
“The City of Los Angeles will continue to work with our partners throughout the region to actively combat antisemitism,” she added.
Silagri was being held on $100,000 bail, according to City News Service. His court date is set for Tuesday.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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