Oak Park, MI – Police Investigate New Attacks on Orthodox Jews

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    Oak Park, MI – A 16-year-old from Southfield was arrested and turned over to juvenile authorities after police say he and two companions hit and robbed four people — three of them Orthodox Jews — in three separate incidents in Oak Park.

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    The assaults were reminiscent of similar attacks on Orthodox Jews last spring, when three other juveniles selected their victims because they appeared to be “convenient targets,” rather than because of any ethnic considerations, according to police in Southfield and Oak Park.

    No similar attacks have been reported in Southfield, said police Chief Joseph E. Thomas Jr., “although we are investigating one incident.”

    The most recent attacks occurred during a one-hour period near the intersection of 10 Mile and Greenfield, said John McNeillance, director of public safety in Oak Park.

    The Southfield teen was arrested in his home after police traced telephone calls he made on a cell phone stolen from one of his victims, McNeillance said. The 16-year-old identified his companions, who were subsequently arrested in Detroit.

    None of the recent victims were seriously injured, McNeillance said. But each was threatened, punched or shoved. No weapon was reported.

    One of the victims, a man walking in a nearby neighborhood was punched and shoved, while a short time later a man and woman, both 20, were pushed and punched from behind.
    The 20-year-old man suffered a swollen eye and laceration to the face, the director said,. The man’s wallet and cell phone was taken. A cell phone was also taken from his companion, McNeillance said.

    No ethnic comments were reported, said the director, who speculated the most recent assaults were random incidents, rather than hate crimes.

    Three juveniles were arrested in those attacks and turned over to juvenile authorities.

    That area — in southeast Southfield and southwest Oak Park — is home to a number of Orthodox Jews, many of whom walk to synagogues on the Sabbath.


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    9 Comments
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    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    yeah an the rabbonim there r against anything that will prevent this!!¨they dont want shomirim

    wht r they waiting for somebody to get killed!!

    or r they too busy with the kollel politics….

    Logic
    Logic
    15 years ago

    How about instead of waiting for the rabbonim to do something, do something yourself. Take a self defense course! Im Ain ani me’lee…

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    how about we did do and the rabbonim stop us….

    murray
    murray
    15 years ago

    Defend yourselves! Does your state issue concealled weapons permits to law abiding citizens? Are you really even people, or are you sheep be lead to the slaughter/ Perhaps a combination of the two– sheeple

    J from MI
    J from MI
    15 years ago

    Michigan is a “shall issue” state. It’s about $100 for the class, and then you apply for your permit. Real easy.

    As for the crime, IMO it was a crime of opportunity, not ethnicity. People walking are always a better target in the D. Yet another reason I’m glad I left.

    . Anonymous
    . Anonymous
    15 years ago

    instead of looking for some outside help maybe its time that WE realize that maybe hashem is sending us a message do tesuvah (it is ellul afer all) stop looking for all the outside help shomrim guns the best shmeriah is hashem

    Anonymous
    Anonymous
    15 years ago

    u almost sound already like a mashgiach in Lakewood!!! go tell this to the person who got hit!!! don’t u know there is even in your language a fact u will understand there is a mitzwoh of protecting your life…wow

    murray
    murray
    15 years ago

    anon of2:22

    To paraphrase what you are saying in layman’s terms; “Just walk tall” Hey, aren’t you forgeting the rest of the famous quote;

    “and carry a big stick”

    i did it
    i did it
    14 years ago

    i did this n i apologize this is not a joke i am willing to answer any questions if anyone has any