FBI investigate incidents at Oakwood Jewish family home

Two incidents at a Jewish family’s home in Oakwood over the past three weeks are being investigated by police and the FBI as crimes of ethnic intimidation.

Swastikas and the words, “Go away Jew!” have been painted in red on the Ridgeway Road home. Vehicles in the garage have been damaged. Nothing was reported as stolen.

“The investigation is ongoing. There have been no arrests,” Oakwood Public Safety Director Alex Bebris said. “That’s the only statement we have at this time.”

“We are working with the Oakwood PD to determine whether or not this is a crime marked by hate for ethnicity or religion,” Dayton FBI agent Eric Thomas said.

In their Feb. 18 report after the first incident, which was categorized as criminal damaging or endangering, Oakwood police estimated total property damage at $3,000.

The second, which was listed as ethnic intimidation, was reported on March 8.

Members of the family whose home was targeted said Friday they would have no comment while the investigation was underway.

No evidence of damage to the property was visible from neighborhood streets on Friday afternoon.

The family purchased the home in 2008.

Beth Adelman, director of the Dayton Jewish Community Relations Council, said the family had been advised by police not to talk about the crimes at this point.

Adelman said the incidents were discussed Wednesday night during a previously scheduled presentation for students at Beth Abraham Synagogue in Oakwood. The program had to do with the best way to respond to anti-semitism and anti-Israel protests.