Suspect Arraigned After Stolen Torah Recovered

Saul Colon, 37, was arraigned on charges of grand larceny and burglary for stealing a safe containing a Torah scroll valued at over $50,000 from Siach Yitzchok, a yeshiva in Far Rockaway, Queens, in May. Surveillance footage showed Colon and an unnamed accomplice breaking into the school at around 2:30 a.m. and using a hand truck to transport the safe. After an extensive investigation, Colon was arrested in August and directed police to the safe, which was found in a wooded area, although the Torah inside suffered some water damage. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz emphasized the profound disrespect shown to the Jewish community through this theft, stating the Torah was irreplaceable. Colon faces a potential prison sentence of 7.5 to 15 years and is scheduled to return to court on September 19. The investigation for the accomplice is ongoing, and authorities encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.