Suspect Arrested After Menorah Vandalized Outside Miami-Dade Office

MIAMI – Authorities in Miami-Dade County have arrested a man accused of vandalizing a menorah displayed outside a county tax office, an incident officials condemned as an act of hate targeting the Jewish community.

Police identified the suspect as Nicholas Eichorst, 46. Surveillance video shows a man approaching the menorah outside the Miami-Dade Tax Collector’s Office in downtown Miami, knocking it to the ground, tearing out its light bulbs and damaging the surrounding fence before leaving the area.

The incident occurred days after the office launched its annual public menorah-lighting to mark Hanukkah.

“This despicable act of vandalism against our menorah is an attack on the values of faith, perseverance and unity that Hanukkah represents,” said Dariel Fernandez, the Miami-Dade tax collector. “We stand firmly with the Jewish community. Hate has no home here.”

Fernandez said the menorah was repaired and relit shortly after the incident.

Police said Eichorst was taken into custody not far from the scene. According to an arrest report, he told officers he damaged the menorah after eating something earlier that left him confused about his actions.

Court records show Eichorst had previously been arrested at the same location. Last month, he was charged with criminal mischief after allegedly throwing a rock through a window at the tax collector’s office, police said.

Fernandez said a bystander helped upright the menorah shortly after it was damaged.

“That’s who we are as a community,” he said. “When something happens, someone steps forward to help.”

Officials said they hope to identify the person who assisted so they can thank him publicly.