Police in West Orange reported the arrest of a suspect wanted in an incident of bias intimidation and harassment.
According to police, on December 18, 2021, a jogger discovered three swastikas drawn on the sidewalk at the B’nai Shalom Temple at 300 Pleasant Valley Way.
Police officials said that immediately following the incident, the West Orange Police launched an investigation.
According to police, although there was little to go on initially, a lengthy and persistent investigation has now resulted in an arrest.
The identification of the motorcycle as a 2019 Honda CBR300R captured on security cameras ultimately led to a break in the case.
West Orange Police detectives were subsequently able to piece together and trace the path the suspect took when fleeing the scene of the crime back to his home.
According to police officials, a search warrant was issued, and Richard Blasko of Montclair was taken into custody last night and charged with the crime of Bias Intimidation and Harassment.
Police officials said that both the motorcycle and helmet seen in the surveillance video were discovered at the home.
Blasko has no prior arrests related to this specific type of crime.
This is believed to be a random isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to public safety.
Anyone with information regarding criminal investigations is urged to contact the West Orange Police non-emergency line at (973) 325 –4000.