17-Year-Traditional Arrested in Hate-Motivated Vandalism of Burbank Synagogue
Burbank, CA – A 17-year-old male resident of Sunland has been arrested in connection with the vandalism of Temple Emanu El, a Jewish house of worship in Burbank. Authorities allege the teen scrawled swastikas on an exterior wall of the synagogue.
Burbank Police officers responded to Temple Emanu El, located in the 1300 block of North Glenoaks Boulevard, on February 16, 2026, after discovering two large swastikas painted on the building’s exterior, according to a news release from the Burbank Police Department and the Daily News.
“Officers canvassed the area for witnesses and surveillance footage, and detectives began an extensive follow-up investigation,” stated Burbank Police Department Lt. Brent Fekety in a report by MyNewsLA.
Connection to Los Angeles Mission College
The investigation revealed the suspect was also linked to the posting of neo-Nazi recruitment materials at Los Angeles Mission College, according to police.
Search and Arrest
On February 26, 2026, detectives served a search warrant at the suspect’s residence in Sunland, with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau. Investigators reportedly found evidence related to the crime during the search.
The juvenile was arrested on suspicion of the following:
- Felony vandalism (California Penal Code section 594(b)(1))
- Hate-motivated graffiti (California Penal Code section 422.6)
- Defacing a place of worship with a symbol intended to terrorize (California Penal Code section 11411)
The case has been presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office, Juvenile Division, for consideration of charges.
Ongoing Efforts to Combat Hate Crimes
The Burbank Police Department participates in the Los Angeles County Hate Crime Task Force, working alongside other law enforcement agencies and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Detectives collaborated closely with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Major Crimes Bureau Hate Crime Task Force during this investigation. The Burbank Police Department stated its commitment to protecting all members of the community and taking hate and bias-motivated crimes seriously.