Overview
- The attack happened on Sunday, Aug. 16, when a Jewish couple visiting from New York were approached near Harding Avenue by a man on an electric scooter who hurled antisemitic slurs, struck the husband in the head and threatened to kill him while the wife recorded part of the encounter.
- Detectives identified 35-year-old Jorden Stephen Perozo, located him at his job at Flanigan's Bar and Grill and arrested him without incident on Wednesday, charging him with one count of battery with prejudice and one count of harassing or intimidating a person based on religious or ethnic heritage.
- Court records show Perozo was issued a $6,000 bond, ordered to stay away from the victims and was held in custody pending further proceedings.
- Police and local leaders publicly condemned the attack, with Interim Surfside Police Chief Jay Matelis saying the department will not tolerate antisemitic violence, and the victims thanked officers and said the incident will not stop them from visiting South Florida.
- Investigators used the victim's cellphone video, surveillance and witness information to build the case and noted that Perozo had a prior June arrest in Miami Beach for allegedly damaging a giant inflatable FIFA World Cup display, a detail that feeds local calls for vigilance and stepped-up security for Jewish institutions.