(JTA) — A man was arrested for yelling and cursing at a Jewish couple in midtown Manhattan near Times Square.
Vernon Stevens, 55, who has at least five prior arrests, was charged with aggravated harassment and a hate crime, police told the New York Post.
The incident occurred at about 10 p.m. on Friday. When a 16-year-old witness went to alert nearby police officers on patrol, Stevens called the couple “F***ing Jews!” unnamed sources told the Post.
The incident comes amid an increase in antisemitic violence against Jews in the city.