Dracut Man Charged With Threats, Damaging Swampscott Temple: Police

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — A Dracut man is facing malicious destruction, threat-making and civil rights violation charges after Swampscott police said his vehicle was determined to have been at an Atlantic Avenue temple during an incident last week.

Police said they were called to the Congregation Shirat Hayam for reports of a suspicious vehicle and damage to the property at about 7:30 a.m. on June 30.

Police said an investigation of the damage led to the arrest of Nick Ashtar-Zadeh, of Dracut, in Saugus on Monday night.

Police said Zadeh was to appear in Lynn District Court to face charges of malicious destruction of property, threats against a place of worship, property damage designed to "intimidate," and civil rights violations.