Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, August 19, 1995 TAG: 9508210024
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
VIRGINIA BEACH - Two 14-year-old boys accused of vandalizing a new synagogue were taken into custody by police at their homes, police reported Friday.
The Virginia Beach teens, who allegedly scratched swastikas and anti-Semitic messages onto three of the building's air conditioners, were released to their parents, said police spokesman Lou Thurston.
Police had received a tip that the teens were responsible for the vandalism to Beth Chaverim Synagogue, still under construction off Rosemont Road in the Chimney Hill section, he said.
The boys live near the synagogue, Thurston said. They were not identified because they are minors.
``We know that those who have displayed these symbols of hate are misguided. We know that they will be punished,'' said Rabbi Israel Zoberman, the congregation's leader.
The boys' motivation for the vandalism was unclear to Zoberman, but he said he would welcome the opportunity to teach them more about Judaism.
The teens were charged with entering a building to do damage and with a hate-crime felony, Thurston said.
Construction workers found the damage Thursday morning. Damage to the building has been estimated as high as $36,000.
Police said they think the boys were responsible for other damage and for stealing electrical wire from the construction site on Aug. 10.
They additionally were charged with larceny and burglary for that incident, Thurston said.
Federal charges also could be sought by the FBI, which investigates hate crime, Thurston said.
There is a possibility of jail time for each of the charges, he said.
- Landmark News Service
Developer charged with sexual battery
CHARLOTTESVILLE - A local developer and president of the Glenmore Country Club has been charged with misdemeanor sexual battery for allegedly fondling a country club waitress.
The 20-year-old woman filed the complaint Aug. 5, the day after the alleged fondling by Frank A. Kessler. She no longer works at the country club.
``She charged ... that Kessler touched and fondled her while she was working,'' Albemarle County spokeswoman Lee Catlin said.
Charlottesville Commonwealth's Attorney Dave Chapman has been asked to handle the case because Kessler is a longtime political supporter of the county prosecutor.
``It'll be held in court. It's just a shame that as hard as I've worked in this community, it has to be handled by the press before I have my day in court,'' Kessler told The Daily Progress of Charlottesville on Thursday.
A hearing is set for Aug. 29 in Albemarle General District Court.
- Associated Press
by CNB