2 Suspected Neo-Nazis Held

Police Tuesday arrested two suspected neo-Nazi punk rockers on suspicion of vandalizing Los Angeles Jewish cemeteries and unearthing and stealing at least one human skull.

Acting on a tip, Burbank police arrested Jacob Luis Rupe, 20, of Burbank and Craig Matthew Lax, 21, also of Burbank, after searching an apartment about 3 p.m., Lt. Larry Dow said.

Police believe Rupe and Lax broke into several cemeteries and temples near Burbank and in Los Angeles, committing vandalism and grave robbery, Dow said.

When police searched the apartment, they found a sign from a temple, a Holocaust memorial sign from a local cemetery and a human skull, Dow said.

Both men, whom police are investigating as members of a neo-Nazi punk rock group, were booked on theft charges and held at Burbank jail, Dow said. Rupe is being held on $15,000 bond, Lax on $10,000.

The incident was the latest allegation of anti-religious vandalism to hit the Burbank-Glendale area. Last year, four members of an alleged “Black Metal” group were arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Glendale church.

In 1994, Glendale’s sole temple was coated with bright orange swastikas, days after its rabbi helped draw up an anti-hate crime plan. No arrests have been made in that case.

Rupe and Lax are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday in Burbank. Dow said the investigation is continuing.