THOUSAND OAKS : Reward Increased in Temple Arson Fires
Concern about threats to synagogues in Thousand Oaks has prompted the City Council to increase a reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for setting fire to Temple Adat Elohim.
Council members agreed Tuesday night to add $5,000 to the $1,000 reward offered by the Ventura County Crime Stoppers for a tip leading to the arrest of a suspect in connection with the March 11 and March 31 fires at the temple.
“We really need to locate the person who committed the crime,” said Mayor Frank Schillo, who suggested increasing the reward.
Marty Ricks, president of Temple Adat Elohim, told the council he and other temple directors were grateful for the concern shown by civic leaders. An arsonist has hit the Jewish temple three times in the past month, always late at night or early in the morning.
The most recent fire occurred last Friday. Flames destroyed part of the roof and door of the temple’s sanctuary, causing about $25,000 in damage.
Temple Adat Elohim and other Ventura County synagogues have also been the target of anti-Semitic graffiti.
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