Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that a grand jury has indicted a 26-year-old man with multiple hate crime charges for a February 2024 anti-Semitic attack in Hewlett.
Bechir Lehbeib, with a residence in Jamaica, Queens, was arraigned today before Judge Colin O’Donnell, on charges of Robbery in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime (a B violent felony), Robbery in the Second Degree (a C violent felony), Assault in the Second Degree as a Hate Crime (a C violent felony), Assault in the Second Degree (a D violent felony), Petit Larceny as a Hate Crime (an E felony), Petit Larceny (an A misdemeanor), Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree as a Hate Crime (an E felony) and Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree (an A misdemeanor). The defendant pleaded not guilty, and bail was set at $125,000 cash, $250,000 bond, and $1,000,000 partially secured bond. He is due back in court on April 1, 2024. If convicted of the top charge, the defendant faces up to 25 years in prison.
“Hate crimes have no place in Nassau County,” said DA Donnelly. “As alleged in this indictment, a Hewlett homeowner was beaten and robbed in an unprovoked antisemitic attack – simply because he flew two flags from his home that showed his family’s support of Israel. Crimes committed because of our religion, our skin color, or who we love, will be vigorously prosecuted by my office’s Hate Crimes Unit.”
DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment and charges, at approximately 1:08 p.m. on February 4, 2024, defendant Bechir Lehbeib allegedly walked up to a home on Steven Drive in Hewlett. The defendant then allegedly took two flags from the front of the property – one flag which read, “In this home, we stand with Israel”, and a second flag depicting a blend of the Israeli and American flags.
The homeowner saw the defendant walk away from his property with the flags, via a Ring camera app on his phone, and went outside to confront the defendant.
At that time, Lehbeib allegedly punched the homeowner in the face and brought the victim to the floor, where a physical altercation continued. While on the floor, the defendant allegedly headbutted the homeowner and trampled the flags that he had taken from the porch. The defendant then allegedly left the area and the victim called 911.
The defendant was arrested shortly afterwards by members of the Nassau County Police Department.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Melissa Yurisak of the County Court Trial Bureau. The defendant is represented by Taryn Shechter, Esq.
The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.
