Attack on elderly Jewish couple near Beverly Hills synagogue investigated as hate crime

A couple were targeted for their Jewish faith in an assault and attempted robbery as they walked to a synagogue in Beverly Hills, California, on Saturday, according to police and the synagogue’s rabbi.

Responding officers arrested Jarris Jay Silagi, 44, and booked him on allegations of assault with a deadly weapon, attempted robbery and elder abuse, with the added allegation that he was motivated by hate, Beverly Hills police said in a statement.

Under California law, a hate crime “enhancement” can be used to add time during sentencing if a defendant is convicted. It was not clear whether Silagi has legal counsel. The local public defender’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday afternoon.

“When he came up to them, he screamed at her, ‘Jew, give me your jewelry,’ and then started hitting him on the head,” said Rabbi Pini Dunner, of Beverly Hills Synagogue, who has been in touch with the victims since the incident Saturday morning.

Read more: NBC News