Police: Tombstones knocked over at Philadelphia Jewish cemetery
FRANKFORD (WPVI) -- Police are investigating a case of vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in the Frankford section of Philadelphia.
Police say vandals knocked over five tombstones and attempted to push two more at Adath Jushurun Cemetery on the 1800 block of Bridge Street.
"Obviously these stones were knocked over; it wasn't from decay or weather related," Philadelphia Police Lt. Dennis Rosenbaum said.
Groundskeepers made the discovery just before 1 p.m. Tuesday.
"As of yesterday afternoon they were still upright. We believe sometime during the night it happened," Rosenbaum said.
Detectives are investigating if there's a connection with the dozens of turned over and broken tombstones discovered on February 26th at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, another Jewish cemetery only a half-mile away.
Police don't know the period of time the destruction there happened.
Steve Rosenberg of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia says the public's response to repair Mt. Carmel was overwhelming.
Authorities haven't found any anti-Semitic markings at either scene.
They're hoping for tips on both crimes. There is a $74,000 reward in the Mt. Carmel case.
Both cemeteries date back to the 1800s. Police are working with the owners to adapt a security plan.
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