Santa Monica synagogue bomber arrested in Cleveland (Update)
Cleveland, OH - A press release released at 10:32 PM from the Los Angeles Field Office of the FBI confirms that an individual believed to be Ron Hirsch, wanted in connection with the Santa Monica explosion, was taken into custody following a call to law enforcement by a concerned citizen.
The citizen, a member of Cleveland Heights’ Jewish community who wished to remain anonymous, recognized Hirsch from a picture he had seen on VIN News.
Hirsch, wanted in connection with last Thursday’s 6:45 AM explosion outside the Santa Monica, California Chabad House was thought to possibly be in the New York area, but was spotted at the Cleveland Heights Agudah building. The alert VIN News reader who spotted Hirsch contacted the FBI who took Hirsch into custody.
The 60 year old Hirsch, a transient who also used the alias Israel Fisher, had been known to frequent synagogues and Jewish community centers seeking charity according to the Santa Monica Police Department. He was spotted sitting with an open sefer, wearing a yarmulke, and according to one unconfirmed report, spoke Yiddish as well. Hirsch was described by police and the FBI as “extremely dangerous.”