Police in South Florida arrested a man they believe intentionally set a rabbi’s car on fire Saturday morning.
Fort Lauderdale police responded to the scene at the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center around 7:21 a.m., the department told FOX News Digital.
The center’s rabbi, Chaim Slavatiecki, told WTVJ that he knocked on his door to let him know what was going on.
“I heard fire in the center, fire in the center, and I rushed there,” Slavatycki told the TV station. “Everything is still fresh and there are a lot of emotions.”
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Scott Hannaford, 50, was charged with setting the rabbi’s van on fire. (Broward Sheriff’s Office)
Ravi said security cameras showed a man setting his van on fire and attempting unsuccessfully to set the building on fire, with the fire eventually spreading from the car to the building itself.
In addition to the van being lost, the Jewish center’s kitchen was also damaged and smoke and soot affected the building. Due to fire damage, Shabbat services had to be held outdoors on Saturday.
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Fort Lauderdale police do not believe the arson of Ravi’s car was a hate crime. (St. Petersburg)
“We have to look at the positive. This is a time to think about unity and unity and continuing to be a light in our community,” Slavatycki told WTVJ.
Police identified Scott Hannaford, 50, as the suspect and arrested him on charges of arson, criminal mischief and two counts of possession of cocaine.
“The suspect… appears to be suffering from a mental illness and has had prior trespassing on this property,” a police spokesperson told FOX News Digital. “Based on the information we have at this time, this incident is believed to be an isolated incident involving a known individual and is not considered a hate crime.”
The fire broke out at the Las Olas Chabad Jewish Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. (Google Maps)
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Police said Hannaford, a temporary resident of Fort Lauderdale, was booked into the Broward Sheriff’s Office Main Jail. His bond has not been set and the charges are pending trial, according to online arrest records.
