An Indiana University student was charged with stealing a mezuzah from the door of a Bloomington home and partially burning it Sept. 29.
Jeremy Chung Ho Park Patzelt, 19, faces trial on charges of two counts of criminal mischief. Criminal mischief, a Class B misdemeanor, is defined by Indiana law as reckless, knowing or intentional damage or defacement of another person’s property without the other person’s consent. If convicted, he could face up to 180 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.
The incident occurred on North College Avenue, according to Bloomington Police Department Captain Ryan Pedigo. Patzelt’s initial hearing is scheduled for Nov. 15. A warrant was requested but not issued since the subject was summoned to court instead, Pedigo said.
