Police Catch Man Accused Of Vandalizing Jewish Temple
MIAMI BEACH (CBSMiami) -- Miami Police caught a man who escaped after being arrested for allegedly vandalizing a Jewish temple in Miami Beach earlier this month.
On Thursday, police announced they had caught 43-year old Maximo de la Cruz after a person flagged down a City of Miami Police officer to let them know they had seen a man who fit Cruz's description.
The officer approached the man. A records check and identifcation later revealed it was Cruz. He was then taken into custody. He was being held at the facility pending a mental evaluation.
CLICK HERE To Watch Cynthia Demos' Report
According to his arrest report, he is currently being held on no bond.
Cruz had escaped a facility called Harbor House where he was being held at after a judge allowed the homeless man to stay there, instead of being held in jail.
READ: Homeless Man Accused Of Synagogue Vandalism Escapes Mental Treatment Facility
The spokesperson for the facility released a statement Wednesday evening saying, "Mr. De La Cruz was placed in our facility on Friday, September 19 late afternoon by the courts. Harbor House is not a detention facility or a mental health hospital. We have neither the security nor authority to act as such. We are a supportive-housing facility that works mostly with individuals that are homeless and experiencing complex challenges such as addiction and/or mental health issues.On Sunday, September 21, after our routine morning headcount, we found that Mr. De La Cruz was no longer at the facility. We immediately notified the authorities and court liaisons."
Cruz is accused of spraying hate-filled, anti-Semitic messages on a Jewish temple. A swastika, KKK and the words, "all out war," were written on a banner outside of Temple Emanu-El.
Police said surveillance video captured a man with a back-pack walking up to the temple. Investigators said he is homeless and was identified via fingerprints they found on the vandalized sign. He was also positively identified by a witness, according to police.
He faces one charge of criminal mischief on a place of worship, according to his arrest report.
RELATED CONTENT:
