Police Release Additional Details on 2 Cases of Menorah Theft and Damage

State College police said on Tuesday that they do not believe ethnic intimidation was involved in two cases in which a Penn State fraternity’s menorah was stolen and damaged.

On Monday, Thomas Callahan, 19; David Kovacs, 20; and John Hamlin, 19,  were charged in connection with the theft of the menorah from Zeta Beta Tau fraternity and other property damage early on Dec. 2. Charges are pending against a fourth person in that case.

According to a criminal complaint filed Monday and a news release from State College police on Tuesday, a Zeta Beta Tau member witnessed several college-aged males stealing the menorah after midnight on Dec. 2 and was punched in the face when he tried to stop them.

The suspects then took the menorah to Theta Delta Chi fraternity, where each was either a member or was staying, according to police. Theta Delta Chi’s president became angry with them for taking the menorah and arranged to have it returned to Zeta Beta Tau, prior to police involvement.

The ZBT brother who allegedly was punched declined to pursue assault charges, police said. 

Each of the suspects charged cooperated with police and Theta Delta Chi took internal action against its members who allegedly were involved, according to the news release.

Police also said on Tuesday that charges are pending in a prior incident involving the Zeta Beta Tau menorah. In that case, members of a third fraternity allegedly removed the menorah overnight on Nov. 29 and returned it damaged before ZBT members were aware it had been taken.

All suspects involved in both incidents are Penn State students, except for Hamlin.

‘At this time ethnic intimidation is not believed to be involved in the cases,’ police said.

The menorah is valued at approximately $1,800.