Montreal: Gentile who robbed 14 synagogues caught

For a month and a half police and the 'Chaveirim' organization in Montreal have been trying to solve the mystery of the synagogue robberies in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods.

It was clear to police investigators that it was the same thief, who keeps returning to the synagogues. This fact was derived from the methods the intruder used to break into all synagogues.

It began with a robbery in a shul on Erev Rosh Hashana and continued until last week when a thief broke into the 14th shul. In every synagogue the intruder would break the window, break the Tzeddaka box, and the Aron Hakodesh, in most cases without success.

'Chaveirim' organization worked in cooperation with the police who decided to have shifts of people next to each of the synagogues.

On Friday night, at 23:00, one of the volunteers noticed a gentile walking near one of the synagogues. The gentile's face looked familiar, the volunteer called his friends who held the thief until police arrived. The thief turned out to be nothing but a young gentile living in the religious neighborhood who found himself an original way to make a living from charity funds in the Tzeddaka box.

The police questioned the defendant and confirmed the man through security videos in the synagogues he broke in to.

Much damage has been done to the shuls, including charity funds stolen and broken windows, doors and locks.

The thief will be prosecuted, and the ultra-Orthodox community leaders in Montreal are finally relieved.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!