North Jersey Synagogue Burglar Nabbed By Police, Officials Say

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — The man police say robbed a synagogue in Passaic County has been arrested, according to officials.

Eliyahu Davidovici, 21, of Bergenfield, faces several charges days after allegedly breaking into a synagogue in Clifton, according to police.

On Sept. 24, just after 4:30 a.m., police were called to Kehillas Beis Sholom Synagogue on Passaic Avenue after someone reported hearing loud noises near the place of worship and seeing a man run away.

Authorities arrived to find that the synagogue's back door had been forced open, and cash was missing from inside. Officers searched the building and surrounding area, with assistance from the Clifton Police Department Drone Unit and a K9 Unit from the Passaic County Sheriff's Office, but could not find the suspect.

An investigation led police to believe that Davidovici was behind the break-in, officials said. Authorities determined he had used a hammer to break open the synagogue's back door before stealing "a small amount of cash," according to police.

On Oct. 1, a week after the robbery, Davidovici was arrested and charged with burglary, criminal mischief, theft, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and possession of burglary tools, according to police.

He was detained at the Bergen County Jail to await court proceedings.