NYPD are searching for a thief who snuck into a Brooklyn synagogue and swiped four silver Torah scrolls in the midst of a Jewish holiday celebrating the annual conclusion of public readings of the text, officials said Wednesday.
The crook entered the Ave. O Synagogue near E. Eighth St. in Midwood at about 12:15 a.m. Tuesday and removed the scrolls – valued at $24,000 – from a safe.
It was not immediately disclosed how the suspect got into the house of worship.
Earlier that night, members of the synagogue danced with the scrolls inside the synagogue as part of the Simchat Torah celebration.
The theft was discovered just before 10 a.m. as the congregation geared up for another round of dancing with the scrolls, cops said.
A surveillance camera inside the house of worship caught the man skulking through the building, according to News, which first reported the theft.
City Councilman David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) is offering a $1,000 reward for information about the thief.
The crime was doubly troubling because of the timing of the theft, he said.
“It’s shocking that this despicable crime took place during the Jewish holiday of Simchat Torah – when observant Jews around the world are celebrating the annual completion of the weekly reading of the Torah portion,” Greenfield said.
Anyone with information regarding the theft is urged to call NYPD Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
