Man allegedly invades Studio City home, threatens Jewish family, yells ‘Free Palestine’
A man was arrested early Wednesday morning after allegedly attempting to break into a Studio City home and threatening the Jewish occupants — an incident authorities say is being investigated as a possible hate crime.
The home invasion was reported around 5 a.m. in the 3000 block of Laurel Canyon Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.
The suspect, identified as Daniel Garcia, is accused of entering the home’s backyard and trying to kick in a door; he was held at bay by an occupant, who then contacted the police.
Garcia, who was wearing only underwear, was allegedly heard yelling “Free Palestine†and “Kill Jews,†the LAPD said in a release.
Police said the victims were identified as being “of Jewish descent.â€
Garcia has been charged with making criminal threats, first-degree residential burglary and vandalism, according to the L.A. County district attorney’s office. He is also alleged to have committed hate crimes.
He was scheduled to be arraigned Friday, but it was not immediately clear whether he had entered a plea. He remains in custody on $225,000 bail, according to L.A. County sheriff’s jail records.
A 31-year-old man was arrested in the arson at a West Hills home, according to the LAPD, which said the investigation determined the fire was not motivated by hate.
Footage captured by KTTV-TV Channel 11 showed the suspect yelling, “Free Palestine†several times after being placed into the back of an LAPD vehicle.
In additional video taken by a neighbor, the man can be heard yelling incoherent responses to police and stating that he was not armed.
“Garcia, possibly suffering from mental illness, acted alone and his actions appeared motivated by the victims’ religious beliefs,†the LAPD said.
Garcia may have had previous contacts with the victims, police said.
In a statement, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the incident a “vile act of hate.â€
Californians whose Israeli relatives are believed to be among Hamas’ hostages in the Gaza Strip are waiting, grieving and trying to hold out hope for their release.
“In the wake of the terror and violence inflicted over the previous weeks, this is one of the worst fears of Jewish families across our country — hatred spilling across the threshold, destroying the sense of safety and sanctuary in a home,†Bass said. “We remain steadfast in support of the Jewish people. The people of Los Angeles will not cower to hate.â€
Bass said the LAPD would continue to conduct increased patrols and called on officials “to take action to ensure the person responsible for this heinous act is held fully accountable.â€
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