Suspect In Chabad House Explosion Charged

Cleveland, OH – A suspect in an explosion at a California synagogue has been charged in federal court with fleeing to avoid prosecution.

An affidavit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles charges 60-year-old Ron Hirsch with flight to avoid prosecution for damaging or destroying a building. The affidavit says Hirsch, also known as Israel Fisher, violated federal law when he traveled from California to Ohio sometime between April 7 and Monday, when he was arrested in suburban Cleveland Heights.

In addition, Los Angeles County prosecutors have filed four felony counts against the man suspected in last week’s explosion outside the Chabad House synagogue in Santa Monica.

Prosecutors are seeking the extradition of Ron Hirsch, 60, who is charged with one count each of explosion with intent to murder, use of a destructive device and explosive to injure or destroy, possession of a destructive device near a public place and possession of a destructive device near a resident.

The explosion Thursday near Chabad House Lubavitch of Santa Monica shattered windows and punched a hole in the synagogue. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Cleveland says Hirsch is scheduled to appear in court Wednesday.

Authorities did not say whether he had an attorney.

The Los Angeles Times Reports that Authorities have linked Mr. Hirsch to the large explosive device that went off outside a Santa Monica synagogue based on a receipt found at the scene, according to an federal arrest warrant.

The warrant said the receipt was for three 11-pound bags of a “demolition agent” purchased in Clovis, Calif., on April 1. The package was sent to suspect Ron Hirsch, 60, at a Santa Monica address, officials said.

Officials also found at the scene plumbing tape, empty dry ice bags, five pieces of rebar, bags of cement and a steel pipe wrench, according to the warrant, which was reviewed by The Times on Tuesday.