FORT MYERS, Fla. — Sheriff Carmine Marceno announced the arrest of two teens for crimes relating to anti-Semitism at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office headquarters Friday.
During the press conference Sheriff, Marceno said that the victim, Rabi Mendy Greenberg of the Chabad of Bonita Springs, had a damaged mailbox along with his vehicle window that was shattered, and the word, “Jew's” was painted in orange across the driveway.
Both teens were arrested and originally charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.
In the conference, the Sheriff announced that he will be enhancing their first-degree misdemeanor to a felony.
On Friday, Rabbi Greenberg spoke with Fox 4 about what happened on Monday along with the issues being faced by the Jewish community around the nation.
“I'm following the news very closely especially Jewish-related news and we see it in the headlines especially after all these attacks on synagogues," said Greenberg.
Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marcino said a 14 and 17-year-old are responsible as he's now asking the state attorney to increase the initial misdemeanor charge to a felony hate crime.
“Contrary to what they were trying to accomplish I think it's going to accomplish the exact opposite," said Greenberg.
Rabbi Greenberg said he plans to use his experience as a way to inspire solidarity and not hate.
“It's going to bring people closer to each other," he said.
Rabbi Greenberg told Fox 4 that a lot of people in the community have been asking what they can do to show their support.
He says this Sunday between 1-5 PM, he invites anyone and everyone to come to the Bonita Chabad and show their support and have an in-depth conversation with Rabbi Greenberg on ways to end hate like this in our communities.
