Kew Gardens Hills, NY – Stolen Silver From Shul Recovered At Pawn Shop

Kew Gardens Hills, NY – Police have recovered the silver valuables that were stolen sometime last week from a Queens synagogue, as first reported on VIN News. The stolen items were recovered from a pawn shop in Jamaica, Queens, after the owner of the pawn shop contacted police.

Three silver crowns, three breast plates, five or six silver pointers and an heirloom silver cup were stolen from Congregation Degel Israel, located on 68th Drive in Kew Gardens Hills. It is unknown exactly when the theft took place as the silver items were located in the main Shul which is only used on Shabbos. The silver was located in an area at the bottom of the Aron Kodesh. Approximately ten Torahs, which were housed in the Aron Kodesh, were left behind during the robbery.

“Shabbos morning the Rov went to the main Shul to take out the silver and he noticed it was gone,” Joel Eckstein, head of the Shul’s Beautification Committee told VIN News. “I knew right away something was wrong. The Rov was white as a ghost.”

Police from the 107th precinct were contacted immediately after Shabbos and they were on scene within moments.

“The detectives worked very aggressively,” said Eckstein. “They treated this loss as though it was their own and we have no words to express our gratitude to the detectives at the 107th precinct, whom we plan on recognizing publicly for their efforts.”

While there was no security in place in the synagogue at the time of the theft, steps are currently being taken to install proper security to safeguard the Shul’s valuables.

No further details are being released at this time as police are continuing their efforts to find those responsible for the crime.