Alexander Stepnowsky, 23, of Fairfield, Connecticut, was arrested Tuesday afternoon, June 2, on Manhattan's Lower East Side. According to the New York City Police Department, he is charged with one count of hate crime burglary, two counts of aggravated harassment, and one count of criminal trespassing in a hate crime.
Authorities allege Stepnowsky raised a flag depicting a Star of David, two swastikas, and the letters "NYU" over the roof of the university's Steinhardt building on May 13, according to The New York Times.
The Steinhardt building is named for Michael and Judy Steinhardt, major Jewish philanthropists, per NYU. Michael Steinhardt is also a co-founder of Birthright, the organization that provides free trips to Israel for young Jewish adults.
NYU officials said the university is working with police in the incident.
"The University cooperated fully with the NYPD. We are grateful for their exhaustive work and for the efforts of the Manhattan District Attorney in identifying the person responsible for this heinous crime. The symbols that were represented are antisemitic and hateful to every person of conscience; this appalling act violated our sense of community and solidarity," said university spokesperson Wiley Norvell.
Norvell said the university will also pursue disciplinary action against the student.
The arrest comes as NYU continues to face scrutiny over antisemitism and anti-Israel rhetoric on campus.
According to CBS News, Stepnowsky pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on Wednesday and was released without bail.
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