Montgomery County police say a Gaithersburg teen has been charged with vandalizing
a synagogue.
Police announced Wednesday that 18-year-old Sebastian Espinosa-Carranza
was arrested and charged with vandalizing Shaare Torah Synagogue last week.
A resident flagged down an officer on April 7 to report vandalism at the
synagogue on Main Street and police found swastikas, “KKK”, and other
hate-based graffiti spray-painted on the walls, windows and doors of the
synagogue.
Detectives said they used surveillance video to track down suspects,
including Espinosa-Carranza.
Espinosa-Carranza is charged with property damage to a religious
institution, defacement of a religious property and malicious destruction of
property over $1,000. He was released on bond.
Detectives have identified other suspects and expect to charge them,
too.
