4 Teens Robbed By Anti-Semitic Suspect: Police

TOWSON, MD — Four teenagers who told police they were robbed Thursday night have also told authorities they believe the crime was fueled by anti-Semitism, the Baltimore County Police Department said.

The four teens reported that they were leaving a mall in the 800 block of Dulaney Valley Road around 6:30 p.m. when a man grabbed one of them and pulled the teen backward. The man then demanded the shopping bags the teenagers had as well as their belongings, police were told.

One of the victims reported seeing a knife in the man's waistband. After seeing the knife, the teens handed over their shopping bags, along with three cell phones, three wallets and one teen's mouth retainer, police indicated.

A police spokeswoman told The Baltimore Sun that the teenagers told police they were targeted for their religious beliefs. According to the newspaper report, the man characterized the group as “dirty Jews” and stole one victim’s cotton kippah, a cap that is traditionally worn by Jewish males.

Police indicated there is surveillance video of the incident but that it was not yet available for officers to view. Immediately after the robbery was reported, officers searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect, whom a witness described as being between 5 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall and around 25 or 30 years old, police told The Sun.