2 detained after disturbance at Jewish temple in Fresno
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – Religious messages were posted on the doors and windows of a Jewish temple in Fresno on Thursday, leading to two men being detained, the Fresno Police Department said.
Officers say they responded to Temple Beth Israel on Herndon and Maroa avenues at 4:18 p.m. following a call about vandalism and a disturbance on site involving two men.
Officials with the Temple Beth Israel say messages with religious content were posted around the doors and windows of the temple.
Upon arrival, officers contacted two men in their 20s at the nearby St. Anthony’s of Padua and were able to detain them. Messages with religious content were also posted in St. Anthony of Padua church.
The diocese released a statement saying the messages posted on St. Anthony’s church do not reflect the values of the Catholic community in Fresno.
The rhetoric posted on St. Anthony’s church without permission from the parish or the diocese does not reflect the values of the Catholic community of Fresno. We pray for all other religious communities affected by the situation.
Diocese of St. Anthony’s church in Fresno.
Police say it is still unknown if this incident is a hate crime. Vehicles not from California were also at the site: a motorcycle with an Oregon license plate and a van with a New York license plate.
This is an ongoing investigation.
