MAPLEWOOD, Mo. — As the Israel-Hamas war continues, a man is being charged with two separate anti-Semitic crimes in Maplewood. Police said he targeted a Jewish family who for weeks said they had faced trespassing and damage to their front porch display supporting Israel.
On March 7, at about 1:00 a.m., police said 39-year-old Matthew Pisoni came and stole a Flag of Israel.
He is being charged with two counts of stealing and one count of harassment, which are both Class A misdemeanors.
The mother, Corinne, did not want to share her last name or show her face on air for safety. She sent 5 On Your Side the security camera footage of her front porch, saying she was scared.
Especially for her 3-year-old son.
"This isn't about the politics of it," Corinne said. "It's about singling out a Jewish home. When it comes to singling out our banner, our banner just asks that the hostages be returned to their homes."
The next day, another person stole a banner, making an offensive gesture at their surveillance camera. A new flag was snatched three days later as a third suspect ran to a waiting SUV on the footage.
The Maplewood Police Department is unsure who the other two people are.
"With the time of night that these instances happened, no one is outside," Cpl. Dustin Hoskins said. "It's not a lot of eyes that can keep track."
Police said Pisoni stole a flag again last Thursday. They found it in his trash can at home.
He was arrested in Richmond Heights later that day.
The Jewish Federation of St. Louis said that they've seen a significant rise in the number of anti-Semitic acts just in the last two weeks. When people crossed the line, criminal charges became involved.
"Vandalism, trespass, property damage, property theft ... we see that on the rise," Scott Biondo, community security director for the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, said. "It seems to be the thing that's consistently happening across the country."
A court date is set for March 25 for the family to maintain a restraining order against Pisoni.
Police continue to investigate the March 8th and March 11th incidents, saying Monday they're still looking for at least two suspects.
If anyone has information, please call the Maplewood Police Department at 314-781-3733. All tips are anonymous.