A $5,000 reward has been posted for information in connection to the vandalism at Victoria’s Jewish Cemetery in Victoria.
The reward will go to anyone who can provide information that leads to an arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the hate crime at the Emanu-El Jewish Cemetery.
The reward money was posted by a concerned citizen, who wishes to remain anonymous, said VicPD spokesperson Mike Russell. The donor requested that the Victoria police participate in a committee to determine how the funds are to be distributed, when and to whom the reward may be paid.
Five historic gravestones in Emanu-El Jewish Cemetery – all belonging to Holocaust survivors – were desecrated; spray-painted with black swastikas and other images on Dec. 31. Since then, VicPD Major Crimes detectives have investigated the case and have liaised with the BC Hate Crime Team.
VicPD is hopeful the reward being offered can help provide some new information on the case.
“There are people out there who know who committed this crime,” said Detective Lori Beauvais. “Hopefully this reward will entice someone to do the right thing and come forward.”
Anyone with information about the vandalism at the Jewish Cemetery is asked to contact Beauvais at 250-995-7444. Anyone willing to provide information must provide their name, but information will be kept confidential, said police.