Ramapo man arrested for allegedly spray painting Israeli flag

On Tuesday, September 3, a Ramapo Police Department patrol officer observed a male wearing a face covering walking on Main Street in the Monsey area  of Ramapo.

 The man approached a joint American and Israeli flag on the property of a business located at 45 Main Street. The male appeared to be utilizing a can of spray paint to damage the flag. The officer approached to intervene, and the suspect male fled on foot discarding the paint can and face covering.

After a brief foot pursuit, the manwas apprehended and the items recovered. After inspection, the flag sustained minimal damage due to the spray paint can malfunctioning.

The suspect, Benzion Rivlin, a 33-year-old from Monsey was placed under arrest and transported to the Ramapo Police Department to be processed. He was charged with Criminal Mischief 4 th Degree as a Hate Crime, Making Graffiti, Possession of a Graffiti

Instrument, and Trespass. He was released on an appearance ticket for a return to the Town of Ramapo Criminal Court at later date.