N.J. GANG ATTACKS 14 YEAR OLD JEW

Gang Of N.J. Teens Attack 14-Year-Old Orthodox Jew (CBS)
LAKEWOOD, N.J. (CBS) ― Police Monday are investigating the beating of an Orthodox Jewish Boy in Lakewood as a bias crime.

The attack happened on Spruce Street in Lakewood. Police say a gang of teenagers punched and beat up a 14-year-old Orthodox Jew, using hateful and hurtful words in the process.

Rabbi Moshe Zev Weisberg said he talked to the frightened boy, who was grabbed from behind as he walked home after the Sabbath on Saturday.

Police said they're investigating the attack as a bias crime. They would not talk on camera Monday but have said they're looking for four or five teenagers.

Initially the victim described his attackers as seven African-American men, but investigators say the majority of the suspects where white, according to police.

Warren Sherard, president of the local NAACP, told CBS 2 he understands how the boy gave his initial description, considering he was under much stress.

The attack on the boy comes more than a month after an Orthodox teacher was beaten with a baseball bat - that attack was not ruled a bias crime.

Rabbi Weisberg, the president of the NAACP and leaders from other communities meet on a weekly basis as part of a task force to come up with programs to teach tolerance.

If you have any information about the attack you're urged to call police.