BREAKING: Long Beach Chabad Vandal Arrested

Police Commissioner Ronald Walsh announces the arrest of Hunter McLerath (aka Alexander McElrath), age 23, last known address of Staten Island, NY, for Burglary, Criminal Mischief, and Grand Larceny.

McLerath allegedly entered and remained unlawfully in the Chabad of the Beaches Temple, intentionally damaged the Ark Inside the temple and did allegedly steal several religious items.

On August 21, 2021, at about 11:30 pm the Long Beach Police Department was alerted to a prior burglary at the Temple. A subsequent investigation lead to the arrest of McLerath who had been arrested earlier in the day for disorderly conduct on the Ocean Beach Park.

Commissioner Walsh stated that the Department put out a request for information regarding this burglary and a large number of calls were received with information and expressions of support. During the course of the investigation several of the religious items were recovered, however two Torahs are still missing from the Temple.

Police have been searching the City for these items and are asking anyone with information about the Torahs to call the Long Beach Police Department Detective Division at 516-705-7320.

McLerath is scheduled for arraignment on August 23, 2021 in Long Beach City Court.