*News
Release* Date: November 30, 2011
Middlesex
County Prosecutor’s Office
Middlesex
County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan and Chief Stephen J. Rizco of the Highland
Park Police Department announced that a
Richard
M. Green (DOB 1/31/59) of Bayard Street, New Brunswick, was arrested on George
Street in New Brunswick at 3 p.m. and was subsequently charged with five counts
of criminal mischief, a fourth degree offense.
An
intensive investigation by Detective John Sachau and Detective Nicole Young,
both of the Highland Park Police Department, and Investigator Sue Kowlaski of
the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, determined that Green shattered the
windows of the five businesses early this morning.
The
preliminary investigation determined that the shops that were targeted are
Jewish businesses that trade in such items as clothing, food and religious
items, and are owned by Jewish merchants.
The
on-going investigation is seeking to determine if Green is responsible for
other acts of criminal mischief that have occurred in the past several days.
Upon
completion of the investigation, a decision will be made on whether Green will
be charged with other incidents, and whether the criminal mischief counts will
be upgraded to a bias crime.
Police
in Highland Park began their investigation after an officer on patrol noticed
windows of several shops had been smashed. Business owners began calling police
as they arrived at their stores this morning.
The
investigation determined that various objects were thrown at the windows to
break them. No graffiti or offensive slogans or symbols were placed on the
storefronts.
The
shops were closed at the time and there were no injuries. The cost of the
damage was not immediately available.
Police
distributed fliers to the community today advising residents to remain calm and
assured them that an intensive investigation had been launched.
‘’All
of our officers are aware of the sensitivity of this situation and we will make
every effort with patrols and surveillance to keep everyone safe,’’ Chief Rizco
said.
Anyone
with information is asked to call the Highland Park Police Detective Bureau at
(732) 572-3800, or the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.
As
is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Green are merely
accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.