Before leaving with thousands of dollars worth of silver later that day, the thief entered the main floor synagogue and tried to find relics to steal. Photo courtesy of Young Israel of Queens Valley Synagogue.
After his first failed attempt, Roman Iskhakov returned to the temple eight hours later – this time leaving with valuable silver in a plastic bag. Photo courtesy of Young Israel of Queens Valley Synagogue.
Police arrested Roman Iskhakov, the bold thief who stole thousands of dollars worth of silver from three Queens synagogues this summer. One of the temples, Young Israel of Queens Valley, caught the act on surveillance video and determined the thief had taken two silver torah crowns and other silver ornaments from their social hall, just one floor below worshipers during a Thursday evening prayer service.
The suspect has been charged with breaking into two other Flushing synagogues this summer—Congregation Ahavath Sholom on June 18th, and Beth Gavriel Center for Bukharian Jews on August 14th. He allegedly confessed to stealing the religious relics from all three temples and selling them to pawn shops.
Just two days after Iskhakov, 26, of 84-29 125th Street of Kew Gardens, stole from Beth Gavriel Center for Bukharian Jews, he tried to blend in with worshipers at the Queens Valley synagogue attending prayer service. But instead of attending the service, he made way downstairs and fled with silver valued anywhere from $2,000-$5,000. The caper took only seven minutes.
Iskhakov was arrested on August 29 and is presently waiting arraignment in Queens Criminal Court on charges of third-degree burglary, fourth-degree grand larceny and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property. If convicted, he faces seven years in prison.
According to Rosalyn Ungar, administrator at Young Israel of Queens Valley, video footage shows the suspect had previously tried to steal relics from the main floor the same day at noon, but was unsuccessful. The adminsitrator is convinced the thief carefully calculated the crime. “It seemed to me he was here before because he knew Thursday we have someone cleaning the main synagogue downstairs and she wouldn’t have any idea that he’s a workman here or not a workman here,” Ungar said.
The video also suggests that upon his first attempt, the suspect sported a beard and white shirt before returning to the temple again at approximately 8:00 p.m., clean shaven and with new attire.
Rabbi Peretz Steinberg was devastated when he discovered that the precious relics had been stolen. “The most important part is that we feel violated that someone came in and did this to us. That’s a violation. He just pushed aside the curtain that says don’t steal and stole,” he said.
The Rabbi expressed that congregants of the temple were shocked that such a crime was committed in a place of worship. “People are very surprised that someone came in and used the services of the temple and all of a sudden turned around and stabbed us in the back. People are very upset about that,” he said.
Just hours prior to Iskhakov’s arrest, Rabbi Steinberg told The Forum he had faith that the officers at the 107th Precinct would catch the thief. Thankfully, his prayers were answered.
By Natalia Kozikowska
