Man Sought in Alleged Hate Crime at Hollywood Synagogue

[Updated 11 p.m.] The Los Angeles Fire Department released surveillance video of the suspect. See attached video.

Authorities are searching for a man spotted leaving the scene of a burglary and attempted arson in a second-story classroom at Temple Israel of Hollywood on Thursday morning.

The incident is under investigation as a hate crime because it happened in a place of worship, said Cpt. Jaime Moore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles Fire Department.

The suspect, whose image was taken from a surveillance camera, is approximately 5-feet-11-inches tall, 180 pounds and 27-30 years old, Moore said. He was wearing a beanie and dark slacks, he said.

Authorities are seeking the public's help in finding the suspect, who is believed to still be in the Hollywood area.

Los Angeles police officers arrived at the scene at 7:30 a.m. after temple staffers discovered the damage and an unknown white male exiting the building, Moore said.

Firefighters arrived at 8 a.m., after the small fire had been extinguished, he said. Synagogue staffers had tried to make contact with the suspect before he left on foot. 

Moore would not elaborate on how the fire was started or how the suspect entered the building. The damage was mainly vandalism and it is too early to speculate on the suspect's motivation, he said.

The LAFD is taking the lead on the case. LAPD and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also are involved in the investigation.

The level of the law enforcement response at Temple Israel was not heightened in the wake of the April 7 bomb explosion near Chabad of Santa Monica, Moore said. 

Thursday's events had "nothing to do with the Santa Monica incident," Moore said. "The response today has been ongoing for years."

Moore labeled Thursday's incident a hate crime because it happened in a place of worship and added, "We can't tolerate that in the city of L.A."

District 4 Councilman Tom LaBonge also spoke to reporters outside of the synagogue. 

"Anytime an institution is attacked, it’s a hate crime whether it’s a church, a temple or a mosque," he said.

LaBonge urged residents to "keep their eyes open" for the suspect and expressed his concern about guarding religious institutions. "I would tell everybody to be aware. It’s important to protect our communities, especially houses of faith," he said. 

Anyone with information about the suspect is asked to call the LAPD Arson Counter Terrorism Section at 213-485-6095.

 Hollywood Patch will update this story as it develops.

Below are earlier updates to the breaking news.

[Updated 2:10 p.m.] Authorities said they are searching for a man last seen leaving the scene of a burglary and a small fire at Temple Israel of Hollywood.

The suspect, seen leaving by foot, is about 5-feet-11-inches tall, 180 pounds, white and 27  to 30 years old, said Cpt. Jaime Moore of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Workers at Temple Israel discovered the scene in a classroom on the second floor of the temple Thursday morning, authorities said.

Moore called the incident a hate crime at a press conference held Thursday afternoon at the synagogue.

“Crimes like the one that happened today and in Santa Monica need to be stopped," he said.

It appears the incident is not related to the explosion at a Santa Monica Chabad center, Moore said. Law enforcement's response is due to the incident's classification as a hate crime.

Moore did not have a damage estimate available and would not elaborate on the extent of vandalism found at the scene. He said things were thrown around.

Nothing was stolen or broken, Moore said. He would not say how the suspect gained entry into the building.

Personnel from the Los Angeles Fire Department, FBI and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also investigating the crime.

Hollywood Patch will update this developing story.

This report was compiled with information from City News Service.