Crime

‘Virulent Anti-Semite’ Arrested & Charged with Firebombing 2 NJ Synagogues

Anthony Graziano Arrested After Allegedly Firebombing 2 NJ Synagogues

This undated photo of Anthony Graziano was released by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/Bergen County Prosecutor's Office)

PARAMUS, N.J. (The Blaze/AP) — The suspect in two firebombings of New Jersey synagogues is a virulent anti-Semite who was so intent on sowing fear and destruction that he rode his bike to both locations when he couldn’t get access to a car, authorities said Tuesday.

Anthony Graziano, of Lodi, an unemployed recent high school graduate, was arrested and charged in the Jan. 11 attack on a Rutherford synagogue and the Jan. 3 firebombing of a Paramus synagogue. He was being held on $5 million bail. It wasn’t immediately known if he had retained an attorney.

The charges include nine counts of attempted murder, bias intimidation, arson and aggravated arson. The 19-year-old Graziano was scheduled to make an initial court appearance Wednesday morning.

“We have no doubt that the arson and attempted murder in Rutherford were a direct result of Mr. Graziano’s hatred of people of the Jewish faith,” Bergen County prosecutor John Molinelli said Tuesday.

Watch authorities discuss the case, below:

Molinelli and other authorities didn’t speculate on what may have spurred Graziano to action. They described him as a 2010 high school graduate and loner who didn’t appear to have much of a social life.

During the time period when the attacks occurred, Molinelli said, Graziano lacked access to a car but searched for nearby synagogues on the Internet and rode his bike to the two locations and, at the Rutherford synagogue, threw several Molotov cocktails and other incendiary devices before fleeing. He is believed to have acted alone.

Graziano’s father, whose name is also Anthony Graziano, told The Record newspaper that he sees his son infrequently but that his son had never said anything to suggest he had any animosity toward Jews. He called his son a great kid but said “he’s confused.”

A man who answered the door at the teen‘s home in Lodi told The Associated Press that the young man’s mother was too distraught to speak and had known nothing of his activities. Neither Graziano’s parents nor his siblings were charged with any crimes.

The Rutherford attack narrowly avoided causing serious injury and possibly death. According to police, the Molotov cocktails were thrown at Congregation Beth El early on Jan. 11, igniting a fire in the second-floor bedroom of Rabbi Nosson Schuman’s residence. The rabbi, his wife, five children and his parents were sleeping at the time. Molinelli said Graziano knew people were in the residence when he threw the bombs.

“I’m elated,” Schuman said Tuesday about the arrest. “It’s been a very stressful two weeks even with police coverage at our home. We‘re still a little scared because obviously this guy’s not normal. Maybe this will restore life back to some normality, though we will still be doing outreach to try and restore unity.”

The fire at Congregation K’Hal Adath Jeshuran in Paramus was discovered on the morning of Jan. 3 when members smelled gas in the building and contacted authorities. Fire and police officials determined an accelerant had been used in the rear of the building to start a fire. The fire had quickly burned itself out, and no injuries were reported.

Molinelli speculated Tuesday that Graziano might have changed his methods after the Paramus attack, resulting in far more firepower directed at the Rutherford synagogue.

Graziano’s arrest was the end result of meticulous police work combined with an alert public. Once the ingredients of the bombs used in the Rutherford attack were identified – low-grade motor oil, duct tape, hairspray and empty bottles of raspberry Crush soda – investigators searched for stores that sold all those items. They came up with a Wal-Mart in nearby Saddle Brook and were able to pull surveillance video showing a man buying those items on Jan. 9.

Last week, they released still photos and video and received tips that led them to Graziano late Monday at the residence where he lives with his mother and siblings. Molinelli implied that evidence taken from Graziano‘s residence related to the synagogue attacks wasn’t the only indication of his religious views, but he declined to elaborate.

Attempted murder carries a sentence of life in prison with a minimum of 30 years before parole. Arson carries a 15-year maximum sentence.

In the weeks leading up to the fire bombings, anti-Semitic graffiti was discovered at synagogues in Hackensack and Maywood, according to police. Two days after the Rutherford attack, a swastika was found scrawled in a park in Fair Lawn, though police haven’t said if it is connected to the other incidents.

“It is very disturbing that a hate monger was living right in our midst in Bergen County,” said Etzion Neuer, acting New Jersey director of the Anti-Defamation League. “But this sends a message that it will not be tolerated.”

This unfortunate incident comes on the heels of other anti-Jewish actions in Midwood, Brooklyn, earlier this month as well as other events in New York City late last year. In November, we reported on swastikas that were painted onto NYC library branches and a synagogue. We also covered a subway sign that was vandalized during that same month.

Comments (67)

1 2
  • walkandtalk
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:00pm

    Why are so many anti-Semites drawn to this site? Anyone have an idea? To tzion you cannot reason with a pinhead. Reasoning requires an intellect above the ability of the hate mongers. You are stating your opposition to ignorance and for that you should be applauded.

    Report Post »  
    • NoNannyState4me
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:48am

      Really. However, the hate towards Jews pales in comparison to the hate towards Ron Paul on this site.

      Report Post » NoNannyState4me  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 10:53am

      Personally, my only goal is disputing arguments is to ensure these hate mongers don’t gain disciples from among the ignorant. I never expected to change their minds.

      Report Post »  
  • ShamanWorld
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:01pm

    Violence was wrong. Graziano needs to be put away for life. That said, like any other group, EuroJews must hold themselves accountable for the dirt they are doing so nobody else has to…

    Report Post » ShamanWorld  
  • flatbroke
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 7:31pm

    I dont understand the purpose of antisemetism or throwing molotov cocktails in synagoges or any church for that matter. The jews have had this sort of thing done to them for centuries, and its almost as if they have come to expect it. what tough people! as far as the kid what a dumb@$$, his stupidity will get him 30-45 in prison at 19 y/o, and he is gonna be the bell of the ball in prison, what a waste of life.

    Report Post » flatbroke  
  • georgiavietvet
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 3:40pm

    rose ellen,you are an idiot as always. this dumb ass kid should be locked up for a long long time when he gets out of prison he should be so old that he will need a walker or wheel chair. show these anti jewish bigots that this kind of violence will not be tolerated………………………

    Report Post »  
  • DYNA
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 3:23pm

    I think, at least in the 19th century, arson was punishable by death.

    Report Post »  
  • ConservativeQtee
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 2:34pm

    Why don’t you move to Palestine Rose Ellen? I’m sure you would love it there. I’ll help you pack your crap!

    Report Post »  
  • ConservativeQtee
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 2:32pm

    F U Rose Ellen. I stand with Isreal and the Jewish People!

    Report Post »  
  • Tyler520
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:48pm

    I was completely and uttlery UNsurprised to learn that the kid is a Ron Paulian

    Report Post »  
  • SoupSandwich
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:06pm

    And I thought we were going to see what THE_JERK or Rose Ellen looked like. Dag. Well, Rosie and Jerky boy, more opportunites present themselves, aye?

    Report Post »  
  • Seede
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:33am

    I really feel for the family. My first reaction was to suspect that drugs were responsible but have no reason to suspect anything of that nature. Hatred is generally very deep rooted and at his age it doesn’t take much to set them off on wrong foot. If I were his dad I think I would try to find out more about his friends. Sure feel sorry for both mom and pop.

    Report Post »  
    • robh
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:31pm

      Why do we nearly always sympathize with the criminal?

      The victims in this case may have been burned alive.

      I’m just saying.

      I mean, I get it. I do sympathize on a human level with the family of the perpetrator of the crime, but let’s prioritize here. If someone walks up to your child’s bedroom window with a molotoz cocktail, ready to throw it inside, that might not be a good time to discuss their potential mental health or early childhood issues. It would be a good tiime to stop the potential for heinous criminal activity.

      Same goes for judging situations where a criminal rouses our sympathy. Let’s start with restitution, punishment for felonious action, containment of the future potential for violence.

      I think that this tendancy, in fact, leads to MORE crime. It’s now his (our) fault. It’s because of an outside influence. My actions are not accountable for. These axioms are transparently passed around our society like candy and don’t teach our children, then young adults, the type of ownership of their actions and consequenses that go with them.

      I’m just amazed that this was the first comment to this report on crime. I’m not criticizing the author of tyhe comment but using this opportunity to make a point.

      Report Post » robh  
  • SREGN
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:13am

    When I saw ‘virulent anti semite’, I thought it was about Obama.

    Report Post »  
  • neoconenemy
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:43am

    ‘virulent anti semite’ somehow this kind of wording makes it seem like hatred of jews is especially bad thats why they need their own special term. Get AIPAC out of this country and stop our blind allegiance to Israel and you’ll see incidences like these reduce significantly.

    Report Post »  
    • UBETHECHANGE
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:12am

      You need to take your ignorance and hate over to infowars or stormfront, that’s a better fit for you.

      Report Post »  
    • Cavallo
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:20am

      Are you a Ron Paul and OWS supporter?

      Report Post » Cavallo  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:31am

      Your an antisemite because you hate the Jews, he’s a “virulent antisemite” because he took violent action against the Jews that endangered the lived of at least 11 people. Seems reasonable enough for me. If someone went around burning churches would you call them a “virulent anti-Christian”?

      Report Post »  
    • Riggenbach
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:17pm

      @NEOCONENEMY, so sad… you’re a self-defined anti-semite, and an ignorant one at that. And furthermore, your comments define you as a pseudo-intellectual. They have no basis in historical fact. It appears someone needs to enroll in remedial history classes… and I’d also suggest an anger-management class or two. You really need to deal with the fog you exist in.

      Report Post » Riggenbach  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:36pm

      Of course you’re spot on and the anti-semitism that is really rampant today is anti arab/muslim bigotry which even the media promulgates.

      Report Post »  
    • cosette
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 2:06pm

      @ There she is. I was wondering if you were going to grace this comment board with one of your vacuous rebuttals. Your burqa must be restricting your oxygen supply.

      Report Post »  
    • NoNannyState4me
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:50am

      Cavallo – Stop the Hate

      Report Post » NoNannyState4me  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:32am

    Sounds like B.S.
    Walmart does not sell empty bottles of raspberry Crush soda.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:47pm

      BS huh. RC cola big in your area? Moon pies are more that the look your sheep gives you after a visit to the shed too. Seems some people long for jack boots and sieg heils. Why is that? Did you get turned down by a hot Jewish chick or fired by someone with money? Lets get to the bottom of your antisemite leanings before you get hurt, again.

      Report Post »  
  • UBETHECHANGE
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:27am

    I stand with Israel and the Jewish people always and forever!

    Report Post »  
    • neoconenemy
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:40am

      People like you are the useful idiots the jews love. When they finally get what they want you will be disposed off in the same manner the Russians were.

      Report Post »  
    • bigfatslob
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:05am

      This young man is the result of our uber left public schooling system where Jews & Christians are fair game yet Hispanic and Neg r0s are sacred. Go figure.

      Report Post » bigfatslob  
    • rose-ellen
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 12:38pm

      I stand with the arabs and a just and legal 67border israel.

      Report Post »  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:32pm

      Have you ever read Dr. Duke’s book “Jewish Supremacy?” I bet if you were able to get the truth you’d change your opinion?

      I too stood with Israel and the Jews forever and ever until I learned the truth. Now I consider them to be the most wicked people on earth. So too did Martin Luther the Reformation leader.

      Read, study and learn. Don’t be deceived by their Media and their shills. Since their most unfortunate fate in Germany they have doubled down on controlling the Media so that any critism of them is quickly dispelled. That’s why you must read.

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:27pm

      techengineer11

      Ah yes, Dr. David Duke the white supremacist and member of the KKK.

      You are one sick individual.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:34pm

      “Legal 67border Israel”? Really? Who decided that the “67 border” was legal? The “border” you refer to is nothing more than an armistice line drawn after the Arabs attacked Israel in 48 and were defeated. Egypt and Transjordan (later Jordan) then illegally took control of territory beyond their legally recognized borders. Since no peace treaty was signed that recognizes the legality of the 1948 armistice line as the true border (the 1948 treaty was merely a ceasefire), there are no legal boundaries.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:36pm

      @Tech
      You look to David Duke, who is evil, and Martin Luther, whose words were put into to action by Hitler himself. You follow in the footsteps of evil and are thus evil yourself.

      Report Post »  
    • KathleenElsie
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:07pm

      I also stand with Israel as does my family.

      Report Post »  
    • Atomic
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 6:12pm

      The ‘67border is “just”?? Fine, you go live there with those borders in place.

      Report Post » Atomic  
    • NoNannyState4me
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 1:55am

      Quote: “bigfatslob
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:05am

      This young man is the result of our uber left public schooling system where Jews & Christians are fair game yet Hispanic and Neg r0s are sacred. Go figure.”

      According to the seeming majority here on Blaze, it is bad to hate Jews and GOOD to hate brown skinned humans. Or at the very least cut them no slack. Sorry, if you hate one ethnic brand you gotta hate em all ya bunch of head up your a$$ haters.

      Report Post » NoNannyState4me  
  • EqualJustice
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:13am

    http://www.presstv.ir/usdetail/222527.html EVEN as CAIR suing the USA again! C A I R is the enemy

    Report Post » EqualJustice  
  • elosogrande
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:07am

    Crap like this has to go to jail forever – no quite cell either. Give him a forty ton boulder and a 16 pound sledge hammer; and make him spend the rest of his life turning the boulder into sand.

    Report Post »  
  • Turtleman
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:46am

    Must be a member of the TEA PARTY!

    Report Post »  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:59am

      Looks more like a scuzzy Occupier.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • Gary S
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 10:00am

      You have the IQ of a houseplant.

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:33am

      I’m 90% certain this is sarcasm. Note to all users, if your going to use sarcasm, try to make it more obvious.

      Report Post »  
    • Dr. Joel Fleischman
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 11:35am

      He’s no doubt a member of OWS!

      Dumbass!

      Report Post » Dr. Joel Fleischman  
    • objectivetruth
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 3:57pm

      I’m assuming your post was sarcastic
      @garys
      Please I’m offended by your comparing anyone with a houseplant.Most of the time the houseplants IQ is much higher than the poster you answer.Houseplants everywhere are outraged.They serve a purpose,some of the posters on here don’t.

      Report Post »  
  • AJAYW
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:43am

    No hate crime here they will be protected by holder, and the new futher leader of the muslim brotherhood Obama. That will be his new job when his as* is kicked out of the peoples house.

    Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:36am

    Is Everyone in New Jersey Orange?Or was it Populated by Oompa Loompas Centuries ago?

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • boundforglory
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:28am

    Will they also charge him with hate crimes? With obamas stance on Israel and the Jews lately, he might pardon him. If he does then we will know how much of an anti-semite obama really is huh?

    Report Post »  
  • barber2
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:25am

    Graziano’s father, who describes him as ‘confused,’ sees him “infrequently” and his distraught mother knew “ nothing ” about his activities. HMMMM. The guy sounds like the perfect candidate for some hate group. Wonder which one recruited him ? ( surprised he isn’t / wasn’t at some Occupy event )

    Report Post »  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:21am

    “The charges include nine counts of attempted murder”…but if you shoot somebody in the course of committing a robbery, you get charged with assault. It never made much sense to me.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Blackhawk1
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:21am

    “Molinelli and other authorities didn’t speculate on what may have spurred Graziano to action.”

    Let me help you out Molinelli, He is either a Muslim or was recently converted to the peaceful religion of Islam.

    Report Post » Blackhawk1  
  • Stoic one
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:18am

    an intolerant murderous thug caught; assuming the charges are correct, this is good.

    Report Post » Stoic one  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:30am

      Intolerance has become the practice of ‘The Blaze.’

      Report Post »  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 1:48pm

      The_Jerk
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:30am
      Intolerance has become the practice of ‘The Blaze.’

      At least we can still question Jewish Supremacy in America. It’s a criminal act punishable by Jail time if you question anything Jewish in Europe. That’s the degree of power which this cult holds in Europe.. They’re quickly amassing that amount of power in the US.

      You know when Lenin and the Jewish Bolsheviks took over Russia they made anti-Semitism a crime punishable by death. Of course they went on to slaughter 20 million ethnic Russians before the start of WW2 as well which is all fine and dandy in the West.. We need to just remain focused on the illusory 6 million myth.

      I’m currently studying about their involvment in the Armenian Genocide in Turkey. Have you read anyting on that? It certainly follows their pattern and it was in 1918 right?

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • Blackhawk1
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:22pm

      techengineer11

      How do you spot a liberal anti-Semite?

      They blame the Jews for everything and deny the Holocaust ever happened!

      Now go look in the mirror and tell yourself, I am a mindless liberal but I hope to get hit in the head to unscramble my brain.

      Report Post » Blackhawk1  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:54pm

      @Tech
      Ever notice how Jews DON’T blame all Germans for the Holocaust? They blame the Nazis for being the perpetrators but everyday Germans are at most blamed for complacency. In other words, they place the blame where it is deserved. You on the other hand actively seek to find even one Jew to blame so you can accuse all Jews of being evil. Just look at yourself. The Armenian Genocide? What’s next, Darfur, Rwanda, Cambodia? The Turkish government and military are responsible for what happened there. To put what you’re doing in perspective, let’s say that a black man murders someone (something you seem overly concerned with). By your reasoning, it would be permissible to treat every black person as a murderer.

      Report Post »  
    • techengineer11
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 8:53pm

      tzion
      Posted on January 25, 2012 at 4:54pm
      @Tech

      I’ve just started reading about the Young Turks.. I can’t state anything empahtically about the Armenian Genocide however would I be surprised if they were indeed Jews? Not at all especially after what they pulled off in Russian Eastern Europe and most recently Palestine.

      Read what your drunk allied war hero from Britian had to say about who was responsible for the Revoltuion in Russia and what the US State Dept had to say about it..

      Tzion when are you going to begin to take responsiblity for your people have done and for what they are doing today? Don’t you ever tire of the victum BS? My goodness. You would think at some point you’d want to come clean and live at peace with your fellow man instead of over them.

      Blachawk: I’ve never voted for a Democrat in my entire life.. That’s the Marxist/Jewish party.

      Report Post » techengineer11  
    • Israel123
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:06am

      TECHENGINEER11
      ” It’s a criminal act punishable by Jail time if you question anything Jewish in Europe.”
      Taking bits and pieces of facts and assembling them together doesn’t turn them into truths. What you say about questioning anything Jewish in Europe is a complete fabrication. Presumably, you meant to specifically refer to questioning whether the Holocaust actually occurred. This is illegal in Germany and 4 other European countries (just 10% of European countries). One would think that to pass a law like this you must have enough eyewitnesses who lived through the horrors of Holocaust supporting it… Just a thought.
      So let’s take a look at the “illusory 6 million myth”? Have you ever visited the concentration camps? Have you ever been to Auschwitz, Majdanek, Treblinka? Have you ever seen in your own eyes the 7 ton of human ashes that were collected and can be seen there? Have you ever seen the actual showers and ovens used to exterminate humans? Have you ever been to the camps and seen the piles of eyeglasses, shoes, hair and the canisters of gas? If you want I can send you pictures. Have you ever heard the stories from a survivor? Though not.
      Moving on, how do you explain the fact the France now wants to make it illegal to “question” the Armenian genocide? is that also because of Jewish Supremacy?

      Report Post »  
    • Israel123
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 2:06am

      As for Lenin and so called Jewish crimes: How many Jews were killed by Lenin? No one knows. He killed Jews just like he killed millions of other people. Yes there were Jewish Bolsheviks that took part in this terrible regime, but guess what? There are Jews who steal, murder and do drugs. Does the fact that someone is born Jewish make them Jewish? Are they still Jewish if they are not observant of the Torah? Are they still Jewish if they are just a plain old bad person? Yes, they are.

      Report Post »  
    • SoupSandwich
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 9:52am

      Wait, that orange dude is not The_JerK?

      Report Post »  
    • tzion
      Posted on January 26, 2012 at 11:09am

      @Tech
      “Take responsibility”. I take responsibility for my own actions Tech, as should everyone. I oppose all socialists, communist, radicals, and terrorists, regardless of background. Unlike you, I don’t pass judgment before knowing the facts. And when have I personally expressed any desire to rule over my fellow man? NEVER. You’re putting words in my mouth I never spoke once in my life to anyone anywhere. Instead of responding to my arguments you try to paint me as something I’m not. Do you really believe ANYONE would believe such blatant lies? I happen to not vote Democrat either and neither do most of my immediate family and many of my friends. Your entire approach to history is wrong. Instead of asking “Why did this happen? How? What affect did it have?“ you look at history and ask ”How is this an expression of the Jewish conspiracy to rule the world?” After all, you are actively looking to see if Jews were responsible for the Armenian Genocide, something no true student of history would ever do. True students of history would ask who’s responsible not if the Jews are responsible. Turkey denies the Armenian Genocide even occurred while many Jews condemn their actions. After all, Hitler himself said “Who now remembers the Armenians?”

      Report Post »  
  • The_Jerk
    Posted on January 25, 2012 at 9:17am

    Is it really fair to label others as being antisemitic when the practice of this site is censorship of anything critical of Israel, Zionists, or Jews? Aren’t the accusers just as guilty as those they label?

    Report Post »  
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