High-Risk Sex Offender Accused of Chasing Jewish Student, Yelling 'Hail Hitler' in Brooklyn
The 48-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with hate crime and menacing after the incident early Wednesday morning.
A high-risk sex offender is accused of chasing a Jewish student at knifepoint in Brooklyn and shouting "Hail f--king Hitler" as the victim escaped. The incident occurred around 2:50 a.m. Wednesday at Park Place and Brooklyn Avenue in Crown Heights.
The suspect, identified as Devin Best, 48, allegedly approached the 24-year-old victim and began making threats. When the victim fled, Best pursued him while brandishing a knife, according to authorities.
Video released by Crown Heights Shmira, a volunteer patrol group, appears to show the victim running toward his home while Best is in pursuit. As the victim entered his residence, Best reportedly yelled, "Go in the house! Now I know where you live, p--y! That's what I wanted. Hail f--king Hitler!"
Best then allegedly slashed the tires of a bicycle outside the home and uttered a racial slur before fleeing the scene. He has since been apprehended by law enforcement.
Best, who is listed as a Level 3 sex offender, faces charges of aggravated harassment as a hate crime and menacing. The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident.
According to law enforcement sources, Best has a criminal history that includes four previous arrests. These include charges related to the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in September 1998, sexual abuse of another victim, and forcing a juvenile victim to the ground and kissing her in May 1999. He also has an arrest for possession of a loaded gun in December 1997. The outcomes of these previous cases were not immediately available.
Best's arraignment was pending on Thursday, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office.