Bergen Steps Up Patrol After Rockland Stabbing

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ – In the wake of a stabbing at a Hanukkah celebration Saturday evening at a rabbi’s home in Rockland County, NY, law enforcement in Bergen County said it plans to step up patrols around houses of worship.

The stabbing occurred in Monsey, a community just over the border from New Jersey and one of several towns in the Hudson Valley that has seen an increase in its Hasidic Jewish population in recent years.

Related: $5 Million Bail For Man Accused In Hanukkah Stabbings

Around 10 p.m., Grafton Thomas, a 37-year-old from Greenwood Lake, NY, entered the Forshay Road home and stabbed five people, authorities said. Around 100 people were celebrating the second-to-last night of Hanukkah when a man walked in and started stabbing people with what, officials say, was either a machete or other long knife.

He was apprehended Sunday morning in New York City and was charged with was charged with five counts of attempted murder and one count of burglary. Authorities have not provided a motive for the attack.

See More: Rockland Attack Latest In Series Of Hate Crimes Around Region

Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton said his officers "will continue to be diligent with increased patrol of all houses of worship in Bergen County - as we have done over the course of this year."

Attempts to dismantle our comfort zones is unacceptable and I am sure that the concerted effort of law enforcement and the community at large will change that dichotomy," the sheriff said on Sunday. "...It is our job to protect all residents. Hate has no place here and we stand against any attack in our community."

Cureton also said, "This senseless attack on the Jewish community is yet another display of domestic terrorism which must stop. Regardless of your religious belief, we all strive to live a life free of hurt, harm or danger. My heart goes out to the Monsey, NY and Rockland County community and I pray for healing."

The stabbing was the latest in a series of hate crimes in the New York City area over the past few weeks. On Dec. 10, a shooting rampage at a Jersey City kosher market left six people - three people inside the deli, a police officer and the two killers - dead.

See More:'Hate' Note Reportedly Left By Killer In Jersey City Killings

There have also been several anti-Semitic attacks reported in New York City the first days of the Jewish holidays.

Related: String Of Anti-Semitic Hate Crimes Prompts Cop Surge