Swampscott vandalism case reaches resolution

SWAMPSCOTT – A case involving three juveniles who torched a van and vandalized a synagogue has been resolved.Essex District Attorney Spokesman Steve O’Connell said he could not release any details about the disposition of the case or the three defendants.”The case involving the burning of the van and vandalism of the temple has been resolved,” he said. “Due to the fact it is a juvenile case I can’t go into detail. But suffice it to say we take these matters very seriously.”Fire Lt. Bruce Gordon, who headed the investigation for the fire department, said the fire started in a van belonging to Chabad Lubavitch was arson. In December 2005, three teens were arrested and charged with property damage to intimidate, malicious destruction of property over $250, wanton destruction of property over $250, injury over $5,000 to a synagogue, burning a motor vehicle, breaking and entering into a motor vehicle and nighttime breaking and entering.The fire was investigated by the Swampscott Fire Department, Swampscott Police Department, State Police investigators assigned to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Essex District Attorney’s Office, The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). The BATF assists with all major houses of worship fire investigations.High Holy Days were marred in October 2005 by the vandals, who placed anti-Semitic graffiti inside the synagogue just days before the start of Rosh Hashana. According to police detectives, someone entered the synagogue through an unsecured door.