SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 9 (UPI) -- A drifter who seeks handouts at Jewish institutions is a suspect in the bombing of a Los Angeles-area synagogue, police said Friday.
A bulletin from the Santa Monica, Calif., police department described Ron Hirsch, 60, as "extremely dangerous," the Los Angeles Times reported. Police said Hirsch also uses the name Israel Fisher.
A crude pipe bomb exploded Thursday morning outside Chabad House in Santa Monica, sending a piece of pipe weighing 300 pounds crashing into the roof of a neighboring house. Investigators believed at first the blast was an industrial accident or gas explosion.
Police said they found evidence at the scene linking Hirsch to the bombing. He faces state charges.
In the bulletin, police said Hirsch has often been spotted at synagogues and Jewish community centers, especially Congregation Bais Yehuda in Los Angeles.
The Anti-Defamation League warned Jewish organizations in the area to be on guard. Amanda Susskind, a spokeswoman, said there were no indications the bombing was linked to terrorism or that Hirsch is working with anyone, suggesting he is mentally ill.
