Nassau County detectives are investigating a gruesome find near a synagogue – the charred remains of a man in an abandoned car.
A caretaker at B’Nai Israel Temple in Freeport discovered a car engulfed in flames about 7 p.m. Friday.
“The caretaker hears a popping sound, and sees the four-door sedan on fire,” Detective Lt. Kevin Smith said.
After firefighters put out the blaze, they found a man in the backseat.
The medical examiner’s office will determine how the man died. Authorities couldn’t immediately identify him.
The fire was set on the first night of Chanukah, but police don’t think the holiday or the car’s proximity to the house of worship were factors in the crime.
“On the surface, it does not appear to have anything to do with the synagogue,” Smith said.
Cops were trying to figure out if the victim, believed to be African American, was killed before the fire. Police identified the vehicle as a Dodge, but were still trying yesterday to determine the model of the car.
No one has been arrested.
Police urge anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 244-TIPS.
(Source: NY Daily News)
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3 Responses
1. if the holiday was a factor, why would it be a crime? It’s a mitzva to light chanuka candles!?!
2. What would’ve killed the African American b4 the fire?
3. Was there anything else near the car when it blew up besides B’Nai Israel Temple? What about trying to blame something else b4 you try to blame them?
4. “No one has been arrested”. DUH!!! No one has been found!!!
I fail to see where B’Nai Israel Temple was blamed for the man being niftar in the car near the temple. The writer of the article merely mentioned the car was near the temple when it burned. Please don’t be so defensive about what was not said.
I’m a bit surprised that there’s still an operational synagogue in Freeport, which I believe is almost entirely black and Hispanic. The article in Newsday quotes a 76-year-old worshiper. There’s also a picture that indicates that the synagogue shares its space with “Iglesia Cristiana Fundamental.”