Update: Man arrested in Cleveland positively ID'd as subject wanted in connection with synagogue explosion

Community Message has been issued by the LASD - Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff.


Tuesday April 12, 2011 10:14 PM PDT

Update: Man arrested in Cleveland positively ID'd as subject wanted in connection with synagogue explosion

Man arrested in Cleveland positively identified as Ron Hirsch, subject wanted in connection with synagogue explosion, charged in federal warrant

Joint Press Release
FBI
Santa Monica Police Dept.
ATF

Ron Hirsch, 60, a transient, was arrested in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Monday evening after officers with the Cleveland Heights Police Department were contacted by a local resident with whom Hirsch had come into contact, announced Steven Martinez, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI in Los Angeles; Tim Jackman, Chief of the Santa Monica Police Department; and John Torres, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Hirsch is currently in federal custody in Cleveland, Ohio, after he was charged federally with a violation of Title 18; U.S. Code, Section 1074, unlawful flight to avoid prosecution for damaging or destroying any building or other real or personal property. The criminal complaint charging Hirsch was filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles today.

Hirsch was wanted in connection with the investigation into last week’s explosion outside a Chabad House synagogue in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday, April 7, 2011.
An investigation has been underway since the initial report of an explosion was received by the Santa Monica Police Department. A lengthy forensic post-blast investigation of the incident site was conducted following the initial field assessment and resulted in evidence indicating that the device appeared to have been deliberately constructed. Investigation determined that Items found in and around the crime scene were linked to Hirsch.

No motive for a deliberate attack is known at this time. Prosecutors with the United States Attorney’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, working with investigators, are examining potential charges in connection with the explosion.

Hirsch will be afforded an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Cleveland, Ohio, on Wednesday; currently scheduled for 1:30 Eastern Daylight Time.

It is anticipated that Hirsch will be removed to Los Angeles pursuant to the federal warrant.

A joint investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department, the FBI, the ATF&E, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Monica Fire Department is ongoing.

Considerable assistance and cooperation was provided by members of the Anti-Defamation League and Chabad Lubavitch; both national organizations.

The agencies working collaboratively greatly acknowledge the press coverage during the search for Hirsch by media outlets locally and nationally, which directly contributed to the arrest.

Joint Press Release
Media Contact: FBI:
FBI: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343
Santa Monica Police Department: Lieutenant Jay Trisler: 310 458-8471
ATF: Special Agent Chris Hoffman: 818 265-2507

Forwarded by:
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
http://www.lasd.org/
(323) 267-4800
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Original Press Release
From: LASD - Headquarters Newsroom (SHB), Los Angeles County Sheriff
Sent: Monday, April 11, 2011 05:17 PM

Subject: Advisory Message: Synagogue explosion suspect believed to have left Los Angeles for East Coast via bus (Photo)
Synagogue explosion suspect believed to have left Los Angeles for East Coast via bus (Photo)

A man wanted for questioning in connection with an investigation into last week’s explosion outside the Chabad House synagogue, in Santa Monica, California, is believed to have boarded a Greyhound bus on the day of the incident, Thursday, April 7, 2011.

Investigators confirmed that a man known as J. Fisher, a known alias used by suspect, Ron Hirsch, purchased a Greyhound bus ticket to New York that was originally scheduled to arrive Sunday, April 10th. There are at least ten destinations in between Los Angeles and New York. Additional investigation and video surveillance indicates that Hirsch disembarked the bus in Denver and may have further deviated from his original route. Hirsch is believed to have family in New York.

An investigation has been underway since the initial report of an explosion was received by the Santa Monica Police Department. A lengthy forensic post-blast investigation of the incident site was conducted following the initial field assessment and resulted in evidence indicating that the device appeared to have been deliberately constructed. Investigation determined that Items found in and around the crime scene are linked to Ron Hirsch, identified as a transient.

Ron Hirsch
AKA: Israel Fisher, J. Fisher
Gender: Male
Race: Caucasian
Brown hair, green eyes 5’07”, 207 lbs.
Date of Birth December 9, 1950

Hirsch is known to frequent synagogues and Jewish community centers seeking charity from patrons. Hirsch is currently being sought on state charges of possession of a destructive device and unrelated local charges. His photograph is being released publicly and to law enforcement. Federal investigators are also interested in questioning Hirsch.

Based on his suspected involvement in this incident, Hirsch is considered extremely dangerous. Anyone with information as to the whereabouts of Hirsch is urged to contact law enforcement. The FBI can be reached 24 hours a day in Los Angeles at 888 CANT HIDE. Alternatively, anyone with information can dial 911.

No known motive for a deliberate attack is known at this time. A joint investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department, the FBI, the ATF, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Santa Monica Fire Department is ongoing.

Reward money is available in exchange for information leading to a conviction in connection with this alleged crime.

JOINT PRESS RELEASE
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel11/la041111.htm
http://losangeles.fbi.gov/
Media Contact: FBI:
FBI: Laura Eimiller: 310 996-3343
Santa Monica Police Department: Lieutenant Jay Trisler: 310 458-8471
ATF: Special Agent Chris Hoffman: 818 865-5207

Forwarded by:
Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau – Newsroom
Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
http://www.lasd.org/
(323) 267-4800

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