Crime & Safety
Somerset Co. Man Charged With Hate Crime After Rutgers Islamic Center Break In
On the Muslim holiday Eid-al-Fitr, Beacher broke into the Center where he damaged several religious artifacts and prayer stones, police say.
NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — A Somerset County man has been charged with a federal hate crime for breaking into and vandalizing the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University (CILRU) in New Brunswick, authorities announced.
Jacob Beacher, 24, of North Plainfield, was arrested Monday morning and is charged by complaint with one count of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and one count of making false statements to federal authorities, said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.
On April 10, during the Muslim holiday Eid-al-Fitr, Beacher broke into the CILRU around 2:41 a.m., where he damaged the CILRU’s property, including several religious artifacts, such as Turbah prayer stones, which are clay stones on which Muslims prostrate during prayer, and numerous other items that contained holy language from the Qur’an, Islam’s sacred scripture, according to the criminal complaint.
Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The complaint also alleges that Beacher also stole a Palestinian flag and a charity box belonging to the CILRU. Read More: Rutgers Center For Islamic Life Vandalized; Palestinian Flag Stolen
Beacher is not a Rutgers student nor has he ever attended Rutgers, said a university spokeswoman.
Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
