Pittsburgh police are requesting public assistance in identifying one or more suspects involved in a series of incidents of ethnic intimidation, harassment, and criminal mischief targeting a resident of the Mexican War Streets neighborhood. The victim, whose identity has been withheld, has reported four distinct incidents that occurred at or near her home this month. On September 16, around 10:30 a.m., an individual wearing a white sweatshirt, beard, and glasses approached the victim’s property, tore down an Israeli flag, and disposed of it in the trash. Two days later, someone distributed anti-Semitic, pro-Palestinian images and messages on the victim’s front door and spray-painted the Nazi propaganda slogan “For Blood and Soil” on the sidewalk. Earlier in the month, the victim received hate mail, including anti-Semitic and pro-Palestinian literature and a handwritten note. An Israeli flag was also stolen from her property, and on another occasion, another Israeli flag was defaced with the message “We Demand Blood.” The flag was later discovered in a nearby alley. Police have released images and video footage of the suspect or suspects but are uncertain if they depict the same individual. Anyone with information related to the incidents is urged to contact the Pittsburgh Police Zone 1 at 412-323-7201 or dial 911.
