Man Arrested for Knocking Yarmulke Off Teenager Outside Miami-Dade Synagogue

Incident Outside Synagogue

• 🚨 A troubling incident occurred outside a local temple in Northeast Miami-Dade, leading to an arrest.
• 🎯 Two teens reported being harassed by a man, with deputies investigating if they were targeted because they were Jewish.

The Altercation

• 💥 A synagogue school security guard witnessed a man stop and physically assault a 16 and 17-year-old student.
• 🧢 The man allegedly swiped his hand across the boy's head, knocking off his yarmulke, a religious head covering.

Arrest and Charges

• 👮 Deputies charged the suspect, 24-year-old Joseé Gerrio, under a law that increases penalties for vandalism or harassment targeting religion or ethnicity.
• 📸 The security guard confronted Gerrio, disarmed him, and provided deputies with a photo that aided in his identification and subsequent arrest two days later.
• ⚖️ Gerrio confessed to knowing what a yarmulke is, but his motive remains unclear according to the arrest report.
• 🚫 A stay-away order was issued, requiring Gerrio to remain at least 500 feet away from the synagogue and its people.
• 🗓️ Gerrio remains in jail without bond and is due back in court in two weeks for his arraignment.