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USC Chabad House burglarized

Shortly after midnight on July 13, a burglar broke into the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at USC, stealing thousands of dollars worth of valuables, including computers, t’filllin and more.
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July 15, 2016

Shortly after midnight on July 13, a burglar broke into the Rohr Chabad Jewish Student Center at USC, stealing thousands of dollars worth of valuables, including computers, t’filllin and more. 

Rabbi Dov Wagner, who runs the USC Chabad Center with his wife, Runya, said he is grateful for the outpouring of community support in the wake of the incident, which was captured on security cameras installed outside the Chabad house.

“The events are very unfortunate and sad, but really our students have been incredible, our alumni, parents are coming out with support and taking it personally, as if their own place…their own home… were invaded,” Wagner said in a phone interview on the morning of July 15.    

The USC Chabad Center served approximately 1,500 students during the 2015-2016 academic school year, Wagner said.

The male burglar, who can be seen on the video, appears to have acted alone. He made off with goods worth between $8,000 and $10,000, according to Wagner. 

The Los Angeles Police Department could not be reached immediately for comment. 

The Chabad center is located near the university’s fraternity row, at 2713 Severance St. Currently undergoing construction, the house was empty at the time of the robbery, though it normally functions as a residence for about seven USC students, Wagner said.

Chabad has released information to the public about the incident in the hope that someone will come forward with information about the robbery that could lead to the burglar’s arrest. No arrest had been made as of press time. 

In a phone interview, Wagner said he does not think the Chabad was targeted specifically.

The Chabad offers weekly Shabbat dinners, organizes holiday events and more. In the wake of the incident, Chabad is working with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Southwest Community Police Station, according to an email from a Chabad spokesperson.

Meanwhile, USC alumni, as well as parents of current students, have shown support for the Chabad by donating funds to the center. More than $3,000 has been raised, and there is currently a GoFundMe campaign where people can donate additional, tax-deductible funds to the nonprofit center.

According to Wagner, the burglar arrived at the house around midnight, broke into the residence—presumably through an open window, Wagner said—and remained inside until about 1:30 a.m.

“The guy opened every door and closet in the place,” Wagner said.

The burglar left the house temporarily, then returned with a Dodge Caliber around 5 a.m. Security camera footage captures him loading items from the house into the trunk of the vehicle. Footage also shows the burglar driving away from the house at approximately 5:30 a.m.

A couple of hours after the burglar left, at around 7:30 that morning, construction workers discovered that their tools had been stolen. Chabad reported the incident to police at approximately 9 a.m., Wagner said.

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