Tire Slashing Gaza Protester Now Facing Hate Crime Charges

by CrownHeights.info

A Gaza protester, who took a knife to a Jewish man’s tires Sunday and was nicknames Luigi, has now been charged with a hate crime after being arrested with the help of Crown Heights Shomrim.

As previously reported on CrownHeights.info, at approximately 5:30pm Sunday near Grand Army Plaza, a Jewish driver had his tires slashed by a suspect with pro-Hamas messaging during a Gaza protest. The perpetrator, wearing a green hat reminiscent of a famous character called Luigi, took off from the location of the crime on foot, with the victim and others following.

The victim alerted Crown Heights Shomrim and followed while being assisted over the phone. The slow foot pursuit continued deep into Brooklyn North until officers from the 88th Precinct arrived and made the arrest. During the arrest a knife was recovered.

An update on the case came Monday after the District Attorney decided to charge “Luigi” with hate crimes, charges that are unlikely to allow him back on the streets quickly.