Crown Heights, Brooklyn – Bentzion Friedman, 49-year-old Orthodox Jewish man was assaulted early Wednesday morning in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn, and the suspect has been arrested and charged with hate crime charges.
Bentzion Friedman was on his way to the synagogue at 5:45 a.m., when a 46-year-old Christian Rojas approached him in front of 645 Lefferts Avenue, knocked the phone out of his hand and punched him in the face.
Mr. Friedman sustained minor injuries to his face and a bloody nose, police said.
NYPD responded to the scene and after canvassing in the area, they apprehended the suspect.
36-year-old Christian Rojas of Brooklyn is charged with assault as a hate crime, aggravated harassment as a hate crime and assault, police say.
While being arrested the suspect told police, “I’m tired and fed up of the Jews.”