Los Angeles police are investigating acts of vandalism targeting several Jewish-owned businesses in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood on Tuesday, U.S. Election Day, officials told local FOX 11.
The area, home to synagogues and the Museum of Tolerance, was on high alert after reports of potential hate crimes.
Police responded to calls about broken windows at businesses on the 8700 block of Pico Boulevard around 9:20 a.m. PT. Footage of the vandalized storefronts was shared by the group StopAntisemitism, showing the extent of the damage.
Jeffrey Abrams, regional director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in Los Angeles, confirmed the hate watchdog was aware of the incidents, saying, “several businesses in the Pico-Robertson neighborhood have been vandalized. As of now, it appears the majority of the businesses are Jewish-owned. ADL is in contact with the LAPD.
The ADL urged any victims to contact the LAPD. "ADL will be monitoring the situation and publicly sharing information throughout the day," Abrams said.
LAPD Detective Malik Shahid told ABC that the suspect appeared to target five businesses, allegedly approaching storefronts with a stick and smashing glass windows.
"Based on video and canvassing and talking to owners of these businesses, it appears that he approached the front of the businesses," Shahid said.
"It was an antisemitic attack. It has to be," said Josh, a local business owner. "I mean you target a Jewish shop. There are a few Jewish shops on Pico. It was not a coincidence."
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