Man arrested for allegedly beating up elderly man because of his Jewish background in Lauderhill
LAUDERHILL — A man was arrested Saturday afternoon for allegedly beating up an elderly Jewish man because of his religious background in Broward County.
Lauderhill Police stated in a Sunday press release that Trevor Rodney was arrested and charged with battery of a person 65 years of age or older, along with committing third-degree felony evidence prejudice.
Around 1:30 p.m., police responded to the area of 6900 Northwest 44th Street regarding a battery incident. Upon arrival, officers found the 69-year-old victim suffering from several injuries, including "bruised eyes, several minor abrasions on the face, and severe body pain."
The arrest affidavit stated that the victim told police he had just left a service at a nearby synagogue and was walking along the 6400 block of the street when he was attacked unprovoked by an unidentified man.
According to Lauderhill Police, the victim said the man — later identified as Rodney — yelled a "racial slur" at him during the attack. A passerby saw the attack happening, pulled over, and intervened by yelling at Rodney to stop hitting the victim, to which Rodney then stopped assaulting him and walked away.
The witness then called 911 and the victim spoke to the operator, stating that he was attacked "because he was Jewish," the arrest affidavit wrote, describing the attack to them. The victim then returned to the synagogue, where he and a security guard got into a vehicle to track down Rodney. Once police arrived, the victim and guard directed officers to Rodney's whereabouts and arrested him.
Upon arrest, Rodney told people that he and the victim were walking toward each other on the sidewalk, where they began to do a "dance" to avoid each other. According to the arrest affidavit, he claimed that words were exchanged and that the victim's head was "spinning in circles, a blue cloud appear over the victim's head and he feared that the victim would eat his face." When advised of his Miranda Rights, Rodney invoked his rights. He is currently held at the Broward Sheriff's Office Main Jail.
The victim was also transported to Broward Health Medical Center for treatment of his injuries.
According to the affidavit, Rodney and the victim had never met each other before the altercation.
"Preliminary investigation reflects that this atypical incident is not consistent with the calls for service reported in this community," Lauderhill Police stated. "In light of this incident, it is reminded that we continuously strive to encourage a community that retains and promotes improved quality of life, where people of diverse cultural backgrounds peacefully interrelate."
Lauderhill Police urges anyone who may have more information regarding the incident to call them at (954) 497-4700 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at (954) 493-8477 (TIPS).