Bridgeport man facing charges for vandalizing menorah at synagogue
Surveillance video shows Smalls arriving at the synagogue at 3 a.m. and knocking the menorah over until it toppled and crashed.
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A Bridgeport man is facing charges for vandalizing a menorah at a synagogue on Christmas Eve, police say.
Austin Smalls turned himself Tuesday at police headquarters.
The vandalism happened at Congregation B'Nai Isreal on Park Avenue.
Surveillance video shows Smalls arriving at the synagogue at 3 a.m. and knocking the menorah over until it toppled and crashed.
The synagogue says Smalls had visited Dec. 23 and asked to see the rabbi.
However, the rabbi was not there at the time.
Police say that hours later, Smalls was arrested by police for an unrelated incident several miles away. Police say Smalls was driving the same car and wore the same clothes as seen in the video.
At the time, police were not aware of the vandalism.
Smalls was charged with criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. He was released on a promise to appear in court.
He has been ordered by a judge to stay away from the synagogue.
