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Florida Rabbi Chases Down Burglar on Scooter

Rabbi Avorohom Ezagui, the Lubavitcher Rabbi of a Palm Beach, Florida synagogue, spotted a man acting suspiciously and holding what appeared to be a bag filled with stolen valuables in the Shul’s parking lot.

Thinking that the valuables were stolen from the Chabad House, the rabbi chased the burglar down on a motor scooter.

When Rabbi Ezagui reached him, they got into a physical altercation, according to a local news report.

The rabbi’s hunch turned out to be correct, though the valuables were stolen from a nearby home, which the burglar had climbed into through an open window. The stolen items, mostly jewelry, were valued at over $10,000.

The burglar, Eric Hanna, age 28, is facing multiple charges, both for the alleged theft as well as the alleged assault on Rabbi Ezgaui.  He was arrested and booked into Palm Beach County Jail.

He faces two counts of burglary, one count of larceny of more than $10,000, one count of loitering, one count of battery and one count of criminal mischief. He remains in jail in lieu of $87,000 bail.

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14 Comments

  • J.S.C.

    Jew’s are tough and stick their neck out for others. It is beautiful to see. I am glad this burglar is getting what is coming to him.

  • K

    The rabbi’s hunch was right – this time.

    If the rabbi would have been wrong and the bag would have contained. let’s say, the fellow’s gym clothes – the rabbi would have been criminally charges and sued civilly!

    This was a “high risk take down” – and probably irresponsible.

    • thats with any random case.......

      maybe he was hanging aorund and has been seen a few times? maybe he ran away which showed he was scared? how do u kno wit was irresponsible!?

  • De way to go.

    You dont mess with an Ezagui on a scooter especially when its a Vespa.

  • Concerned Shliach

    There is a point that seems to be overlooked here. Since he or – anyone else – was not in physical danger, it was reckless to pursue an alleged burglar without knowing if he is armed. R. Ezagui’s safety and responsibility to his family and community far eclipse his ‘heroic’ efforts for a sack of valuables. I’m happy it had a happy ending, but please don’t try it – call 911, perhaps follow him from a distance and leave the rest to the police.

  • Dolores O.

    I absolutely love this article–shows great commitment of our people to help others! Love the scooter portion…I can only visualize! “Ride on, Rabbi!”

  • Jason

    So proud of this Rabbi! We all need to start to fight back against clear cut criminals otherwise we will all fall victim to them very easily!

  • huh??

    why does everyone think this is cool?? what if he had a gun? You see, you call 911 and follow them.. and then leave it to them