A man is facing federal hate crime charges for allegedly breaking into the Rutgers Islamic Center during Eid

(NEW YORK) – Federal prosecutors on Monday charged a man with hate crimes for breaking into and vandalizing the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University during Eid al-Fitr two weeks ago.

Jacob Beacher, 24, was arrested after investigators said they determined he broke into the center’s New Brunswick, New Jersey campus on April 10 and destroyed several items, including Turbah prayer stones and artwork depicting Quranic verses.

Beacher, who is not affiliated with the university, also allegedly stole a charity box and a Palestinian flag from the center, according to investigators.

The charity box was found four days later in a park near campus, the complaint said.

Some Muslim members of the campus told New York ABC station WABC that they were shocked and appalled by the vandalism.

“It’s so disheartening and scary because it just confirms that we are not safe here,” Nehad Ali told WABC a day after the incident.

The FBI used surveillance footage and cellphone data to determine Beacher was a suspect, the indictment said.

When investigators interviewed Beacher on April 12, he admitted to being near the center during the incident but denied breaking into it, the complaint said.

Beacher was awaiting arraignment in Newark federal court on one count of intentional or attempted obstruction of religious practice and one count of making false statements to federal authorities, federal prosecutors said.

State charges against Beacher are also pending, according to investigators. Information about the suspect’s attorney was not immediately available.

According to administrators, the center has received donations to help replace the damaged items.

“We are humbled by the amazing and generous outpouring from the Rutgers community and the community at large,” the center said in a statement on its Facebook page Monday.

The center’s administrators thanked law enforcement for their work and warned of a rise in anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigotry.

“This incident did not occur in a vacuum. We condemn those who foment lies and hatred on our campus and those who engage in double-speak that has led to this violence, other acts of hatred and intolerance on our campus and especially against our students,” the center said in its statement.

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