The incident occurred at Congregation Beth Solomon, 198 Tomlinson Road, at about 12:30 a.m.
An unidentified man urinated on a Somerton synagogue early Sunday, leaving behind surveillance video of the dirty deed.
During a news conference on Monday afternoon, Lt. Dennis Rosenbaum of Northeast Detectives said that investigators are unsure if anti-semitism motivated the incident. That’s why detectives want to interview the man in the video. But the incident appears to be a case of institutional vandalism too, Rosenbaum said.
It occurred at Congregation Beth Solomon, 198 Tomlinson Road, at about 12:30 a.m. Rosenbaum said that a rabbi was inside the synagogue office when he heard a disturbance outside and saw someone running before jumping into a car. He reviewed the surveillance video, which provided a clearer picture of the episode.
The video depicts the suspect as he approached the front entrance of the synagogue, flashed an obscene finger gesture at the camera and relieved himself on the walls of the synagogue and sidewalk directly outside the doors.
The man then entered a passenger seat of a white four-door BMW sedan and left the area. He was described as 20 to 30 years old, thin and having a light complexion with short black hair and a short beard. He wore a white button-down shirt and jeans or dark pants, along with dark shoes.
Police are unaware of any connection to other hate incidents or vandalism of religious buildings.
“We have zero tolerance for any kind of hate against any synagogue or a mosque or any religious institution,” Rosenbaum said, adding that it should have been clear to the suspect that he was at a synagogue.
“There’s actually a menorah on the railing. It’s clearly marked,” he said.
Call 215–686-TIPS or text to PPD TIP to report information. ••
