After Israeli Flag Is Stolen 3 Times, Hoboken Police Release Photos

HOBOKEN, NJ — After an Israeli flag was stolen three times from the front of Hoboken City Hall in as many months, police have released surveillance photos in connection with the crimes. They are looking to identify the people in the photos (above), they said.

Watchdog groups say antisemitic hate crimes have risen in the United States since the Oct. 7 massacre in which the terrorist group Hamas killed Israelis at a music festival and kidnapped other adults and children from their homes.

According to the Associated Press, since the massacre, more than 12,000 Israelis and Palestinians have been killed in the fighting.

The following is a release from the Hoboken Police Department.

Hoboken Police Release:

The Hoboken Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in an investigation into three separate thefts of the Israeli Flag outside of Hoboken City Hall, 94 Washington St.

On Oct. 20, 2023, at approximately 9:55 p.m., two males stopped in front of City Hall. One stopped directly in front of the flag post, believed to be acting as a look-out. The second male, wearing a black colored jacket with hood, light colored jeans, and a black colored face mask climbed up onto the ledge and pulled the Israeli Flag off its post. Both men fled the area in a black Lincoln SUV.

On Nov. 27, 2023, at approximately 3:40 p.m., a man walked up to the flagpole, took the flag down breaking two carabiners which were securing the flag, and ran off.

On Dec. 13, 2023, at approximately 2:25 a.m., a man in a white shirt, jeans, and white shoes ran towards the flagpole, climbed it, took the flag down, and jumped to the ground. A second man wearing a white hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and white shoes was with him. Both men ran from the scene toward the intersection of Newark and Washington Streets. When they saw a Hoboken Police patrol car nearby, they dropped the flag and ran off.

Police have released pictures of individuals and vehicles connected to the crimes. Anyone with information, including photographic or video evidence, is asked to contact Det. John Quinones at (201) 420-2100 ext. 3182 or Quinonesj@hobokenpdnj.gov.