A 30-year-old Florida man has been arrested after allegedly throwing a brick through the window of a synagogue in downtown Sarasota, later telling investigators he targeted the building because it was a Jewish house of worship.

According to the Sarasota Police Department, Brighton Leshinger, 30, of Sarasota, has been charged with felony criminal mischief to a religious property with a hate crime enhancement.

Police said the attack occurred at approximately 6 a.m. last Wednesday at a synagogue in downtown Sarasota.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Leshinger with a blue towel wrapped around his head as he repeatedly hurled a brick through the synagogue’s front window until the glass shattered. He then fled the scene.

Authorities estimated the damage to the building at more than $5,000. Detectives later interviewed a nearby resident, whose information helped investigators identify Leshinger’s roommate as the suspect.

During questioning, Leshinger allegedly told police that he had seen antisemitic content on social media earlier that morning, which angered him.

According to investigators, Leshinger admitted to the attack, telling detectives, “I used a brick I found near the scene to break the front window of the synagogue.”

Police said he also acknowledged that he deliberately targeted the synagogue because it was a Jewish place of worship.

The investigation remains ongoing.

{Matzav.com}