New Brunswick Man Charged with Bias Intimidation in Highland Park-Area Vandalism

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office announced on Thursday that a New Brunswick man arrested on charges of criminal mischief has also been charged with three counts of bias intimidation.

Richard M. Green, 52, of Bayard Street, is accused of smashing windows at five Jewish-owned Highland Park businesses, Chabad House at Rutgers University and Rutgers Hillel, Maoz Restaurant on George Street, the George Street Co-op on Morris Street, and an office building on Bayard Street.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, the charges were filed following an investigation in which it was determined that Green specifically targeted those Jewish-owned and-affiliated locations.

Green was charged on Nov. 30 with five counts of criminal mischief in Highland Park and faces an additional five counts of criminal mischief for the vandalism in New Brunswick.

Bias intimidation charges were also filed by the Rutgers University Police Department and Highland Park Police Department, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

The bias charges are third-degree offenses and carry a prison sentence of between three and five years, if Green is convicted. The criminal mischief charges are fourth-degree offenses and carry maximum sentences of 18 months.

Green smashed the windows on Nov. 30, with the exception of the vandalism at Chabad House and Rutgers Hillel which happened on Nov. 27, according to the Prosecutor's Office.

No injuries resulted from the vandalism, as all the affected locations were closed at the time of the windows being smashed.