A Cape Coral man who vandalized a place of worship changed his plea and learned his fate.
Maron Raymon, 54, pleaded guilty as charged to criminal mischief on a place of worship and criminal mischief causing $1,000 or more in damages.
Lee County Judge Josephine Gagliardi sentenced Raymon to three years of probation.
Cape Coral Police said their investigation confirmed that Raymon damaged and attempted to burglarize the Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Coral on March 11, 2023.
Video footage captured Raymon throwing bricks, toppling a colorful, large image of a menorah and destroying a car. After toppling the menorah, Raymon threw bricks at the center door, attempting to gain entry. The door has impact glass, which did not break.
At the time, police chief Anthony Sizemore described the case as “very challenging,” adding that unlike other cases, the video evidence they had “was not supreme and it really required a lot of boots on the ground.”
Police served numerous warrants throughout their investigation.
Sizemore said he and Rabbi Yossi Labkowski, of the Chabad Jewish Center of Cape Coral — where the attack unfolded — are good friends, adding then that their friendship spans, at least, 10 years. The News-Press could not immediately reach Labkowski for comment.
Sizemore had spoken with Labkowski two days after the attack to assure him he had the same officers and detectives working the case as those who located a murder suspect in Kentucky.
After the incident, the worship venue began increasing security and taking precautions, such as installing a security system with high resolution cameras with night vision, sensors and a light system for deterrence; upgrading the locks on all doors; installing security film on all the windows, and installing a fence.
Tomas Rodriguez is a Breaking/Live News Reporter for the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can reach Tomas at TRodriguez@usatodayco.com or 772-333-5501. Connect with him on Threads @tomasfrobeltran, Instagram @tomasfrobeltran, Facebook @tomasrodrigueznews and Bluesky @tomasfrodriguez.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Cape Coral man admits vandalizing synagogue, sentenced to probation
Reporting by Tomas Rodriguez, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
