The FBI has offered a reward of as much as $20,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case of at least three arsons at Chabad Centers in Massachusetts within a span of five days.
On May 11, 2019, at approximately 11 PM, authorities were alerted to a fire at the Chabad Center for Jewish Life of Arlington-Belmont in Arlington, Massachusetts.
Five days later, on May 16, 2019, at approximately 8:50 PM, authorities were alerted to another fire at the same Chabad Center.
Also on May 16, 2019, just before 10 PM, authorities responded to a fire at the Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center in Needham, Massachusetts.
At the time of the incidents, surveillance footage captured an unknown male, approximately 5’11”, slowly walking to and from the locations where the fires were set. The man appears to be wearing a dark North Face jacket with the hood pulled over his head and khaki pants. He is also seen carrying unknown items in each hand.
In the Arlington video, three different cameras show the unknown male walking down Lake Street in the immediate vicinity of the Chabad Center at the time of the fire. In the Needham video, the same man walks in front of the Chabad Center towards the area where the fire was set. Approximately one minute and forty seconds later, he turns abruptly, looks back in the direction of the fire, and walks towards the street and down the sidewalk.
Anyone with information regarding these crimes should contact the FBI Boston Division at (857) 386-2000. You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
