MELROSE — Police say they will charge a 16-year-old local youth with gravestone vandalism and destruction of property over $250 following a well-publicized incident at the historic Jewish cemetery on Linwood Avenue last Thursday morning.
Police explained, however, that their investigation led them away from categorizing this vandalism as a hate crime.
Based on the concerted effort of Melrose Police, who used several tips and information provided by witnesses and the public, three youths were identified as those suspected of being in the Netherlands Cemetery July 27 around 3 a.m. One of those three will be charged, police said.
Last week, a citizens reported hearing youths laughing in the vicinity of the cemetery as they were apparently vandalizing six headstones. They eventually ran off in the direction of the downtown.
Police said based on their investigation, the vandalism “does not meet the criteria of a hate crime.”
The cemetery has a long history with the community. Netherlands Cemetery, formally called the Netherlands Cemetery Association and Roxbury Mutual Society Burial Ground – is the third-oldest Jewish cemetery in Massachusetts and contains about 475 interments. It was established in 1859 by a group of Dutch Jews living in Greater Boston who formed the Netherlands Cemetery Association and opened the Netherlands Cemetery for its members.
It is currently operated by the Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts.
Mayor Rob Dolan said hours after discovery of the damage, “I am deeply saddened and outraged by this vandalism and potential hate crime. Cemeteries are sacred grounds. Any malicious destruction is deeply saddening and must be given the full attention of law enforcement to bring the individuals responsible to account for this horrible act.
“On behalf of the citizens of Melrose, we offer our deepest sympathies to Netherlands Cemetery Association, the Jewish Cemetery Association of Massachusetts, and the individual families affected by this cowardly act.”
The youth suspected of damaging the headstones will be summonsed to court.