Riverdale Shul Vandal Indicted on 76 Charges, Including Hate Crimes

A grand jury has charged Jordan Burnette, 30, with multiple criminal charges in connection to his vandalism spree against Jewish institutions in the Bronx neighborhood of Riverdale in April.

Burnette had been indicted on 72 charges, including criminal mischief, criminal trespass, aggravated harassment, burglary and petty larceny, some of which are also classified as hate crimes. The hate crime charges carry a more severe penalty.

In April, over a weekend, Burnette threw rocks at the windows and doors of the Riverdale Jewish Center, the Chabad of Riverdale, the Young Israel of Riverdale, a Conservative center and several cars parked in the area.

In response, police stepped up their presence in the neighborhood and Burnette was shortly arrested when found riding a bike he had stolen from a shul.

After he was arrested, Burnette was released to his home on “supervised release” until his trial.  Shuls had police protection overnight as a precaution.

“Those shameful incidents brought fear and terror to worshippers,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark  in a statement. “To our Bronx Jewish community, we support you. We are also horrified about these attacks. We live in a vibrant, diverse community, and we are united against these appalling acts.”