A grand jury has indicted a 26-year-old man with multiple hate crime charges for an antisemitic attack that took place last month in Hewlett.
On February 4 at 1:08 p.m., Bechir Lehbeib allegedly walked up to a home on Steven Drive in Hewlett, then allegedly took two flags from the front of the property, one flag which read, “In this home, we stand with Israel” and a second flag depicting a blend of the Israeli and American flags. The homeowner saw the defendant walk away from his property with the flags, via a Ring camera app on his phone, and went outside to confront Lehbeib.
At that time, Lehbeib allegedly punched the homeowner in the face and brought the victim to the floor, where a physical altercation continued. While on the floor, Lehbeib allegedly headbutted the homeowner and trampled the flags that he had taken from the porch. He then allegedly left the area and the victim called 911. Lehbeib was arrested shortly afterwards by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
Lehbeib, of Jamaica, Queens, was arraigned on March 6 before Judge Colin O’Donnell, on charges of second-degree robbery as a hate crime (a Class B violent felony), second-degree robbery and second-degree assault as a hate crime (both Class C violent felonies), second-degree assault (a Class D violent felony), petit larceny as a hate crime and fourth-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime (both Class E felonies), petit larceny and fourth-degree criminal mischief (both Class A misdemeanors). Lehbeib pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $125,000 cash, $250,000 bond, and $1,000,000 partially secured bond.
He is due back in court on April 1. If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.
“Hate crimes have no place in Nassau County,” said Nassau County Anne Donnelly. “As alleged in this indictment, a Hewlett homeowner was beaten and robbed in an unprovoked antisemitic attack – simply because he flew two flags from his home that showed his family’s support of Israel. Crimes committed because of our religion, our skin color, or who we love, will be vigorously prosecuted by my office’s Hate Crimes Unit.”