Teens Charged in 2012 Burglary of Cedarhurst Synagogue

Two teens have been charged in connection with the August 2012 buglary of Congregation Shaara Emunah in Cedarhurst.

According to detectives, a 16-year-old from Woodmere and another from Far Rockaway, entered the synagogue on Aug. 12, 2012 located at 539 Oakland Ave., by removing an air conditioner from the window and climbing in. 

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The defendants were captured on security video ransacking the office of the synagogue. They allegedly took an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene.  The security images were viewed by several police officers who were able to positively identify the defendants.

Fourth Precinct Police Officers located and arrested the Woodmere teen in Inwood on Sept. 7, 2012. At the time of his arrest he was also found to be in possession of Marijuana.  He was charged with Burglary 3rd Degree and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana. 

He was arraigned on Sept. 7, 2012 in First District Court in Hempstead. 

On Feb. 16, the other defendant entered Aish Kodesh Synagogue located at 894 Woodmere Place in Woodmere, by obtaining the combination, removed two sets of car keys and took a 2011 Honda from the parking lot.

The car was recovered. On Monday, Fourth Precinct plainclothes police officers located and arrested the teen in Far Rockaway. He is being charged with two counts of Burglary 3rd Degree and Grand Larceny 3rd Degree.

Update, 3-6-13: After further investigation, the Far Rockaway teen was charged in connection with a burglary that occurred on Aug. 12, 2012, at Yeshiva Gedolah of Five Towns in Woodmere, where an undisclosed amount of cash was taken from the Temple. He is charged with third-degree burglary.