BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn woman has been arrested in connection with a disturbing hate crime involving anti-Semitic vandalism targeting a parked Tesla on Ditmas Avenue, police said.
Key Points
- Natasha Cohen, 46, was arrested Friday and charged with multiple hate crimes
- Incident involved a swastika-marked brick and garbage placed on a vehicle
- The NYPD Hate Crime Task Force is continuing the investigation
Arrest made in anti-Semitic vandalism case
Natasha Cohen, 46, of 581 Ocean Parkway, was taken into custody on Friday at approximately 7:51 p.m. within the 66th Precinct. She faces charges including second-degree aggravated harassment as a hate crime, third-degree criminal mischief, and related offenses.
The arrest follows an incident reported earlier in the week, in which a 38-year-old man parked his vehicle opposite 617 Ditmas Avenue on April 7. Surveillance footage and witness statements indicate an unidentified female placed a brick with a swastika drawn on it on top of the victim’s 2024 Tesla.
Incident details and investigation
In addition to the brick, the individual allegedly dumped garbage and placed a black garbage bag on the vehicle before fleeing westbound on a scooter. No injuries were reported, and the vehicle was unoccupied at the time. Police classified the act as hate crime criminal mischief.
The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the full scope of the incident, including any additional potential victims or related events. Investigators have not confirmed whether Cohen was positively identified as the individual seen in surveillance images released earlier in the week.
Search for other individuals continues
While Cohen is in custody, police are still seeking public assistance in identifying a woman connected to the incident. The individual was described as a female with a light complexion and long blonde hair, wearing a pink hooded jacket, blue jeans, and black rainboots. She fled on a razor scooter after the incident.
Authorities have not confirmed whether the description matches Cohen or if additional suspects are being sought.