Man Targets Orthodox Jewish Women In Hate Crime Attacks

NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA —Police are asking for help identifying a man who has been attacking Orthodox Jewish women in the North Hollywood area in what police are investigating as possible hate crimes.

The batteries started in mid-September during the Yom Kippur observance when the same man approached three women in separate incidents, yanking their wigs off their heads.

"All three female victims are part of the Orthodox Jewish community residing in the area where the crimes occurred," according to the LAPD. "The suspect appears to have battered the women and targeted their wigs because of their religious beliefs. Orthodox Jewish women often wear wigs, scarfs, or hats to cover their hair as a symbol of modesty."

The first attack happened on the afternoon of Sept. 19, during the Yom Kippur observance. An 80-year-old woman walking south on Bellaire from Burbank Boulevard when she noticed she was being followed by a 25- to 30-year-old white man, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"When she reached Chandler Boulevard, the suspect approached her, grabbed the wig off her head, smiled and handed it back to her," according to a police statement. "The suspect never said anything and then calmly walked away."

He struck again Later the same day. The man approached a 36-year-old woman from behind as she walked on Chandler Boulevard at Bellaire Avenue and tried to pull the wig off her head, police said.

On Tuesday, he struck again this time in the area of Laurel Canyon and Burbank boulevards where 58-year-old woman was loading music equipment into her vehicle. A man police believe to be the same suspect in the prior two batteries approached her and pulled the wig off her head.

"He then stated to the victim, `Oh, I'm sorry,' in a sarcastic manner and threw the wig on the ground," police said.

The suspect then walked away.

Anyone with information about the case was urged to contact LAPD North Hollywood Division Crimes Against Persons Detective Dan Fournier at (818) 754-8451.

After hours and on weekends calls should be directed to (877) LAPD-24-7.

Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers by calling (800) 222-TIPS or at lacrimestoppers.org.

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.