On Friday, May 24, Boston resident Alexei Rodriguez was arraigned in Newton District Court, charged in two separate antisemitic incidents in Newton. According to Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan, Mr. Rodriguez was “charged with defacing property, larceny under $1,200, damaging property to intimidate, two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and two counts of a civil rights violation.”
Shortly before 6PM on May 21, Newton Police were called to the Jewish Community Center on Nahanton Street, responding to reports that a man was vandalizing blue ribbons on trees near the property. The blue ribbons symbolize support for Israel. Officers located and identified the suspect, a 49-year-old male later identified as Alexei Rodriquez.
During their investigation of Mr. Rodriguez, the Newton Police were able to connect his white SUV with one at the scene of the intimidation of two young Jews on April 30. The suspect was arrested on May 23.
Mr. Rodriguez pleaded “not guilty” at his arraignment. Newton District Court Judge Jennifer Queally set his bail at $500, required him to wear a GPS monitor, and prevented him from contact or interaction with his alleged victims or Newton synagogues.
Newton Police have been working together with the Middlesex District Attorney’s office.
