Man facing federal hate crime charges for allegedly breaking into Rutgers Islamic Center during Eid WHIO TV 7 and WHIO Radio [Video]

NEW YORK — Federal prosecutors charged a man with hate crimes Monday for allegedly breaking into and vandalizing the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University during Eid al-Fitr two weeks ago.

Jacob Beacher, 24, was arrested after investigators said they determined he broke into the center on the New Brunswick, New Jersey, campus on April 10 and vandalized several items, including Turbah prayer stones and art pieces with Quranic verses.

Beacher, who is not affiliated with the university, also allegedly stole a charity box and a Palestinian flag from the center, according to investigators.

The charity box was found four days later in a park near the campus, the criminal complaint said.

Some Muslim members of the campus told New York ABC station WABC they were in shock and horror over the vandalism.

“It’s so disheartening and scary because it just solidifies the fact that we aren’t safe here,” …