CAUGHT ON CAMERA: Williamsburg’s beloved holiday skeleton vandalized
The skeleton belongs to Abdullateef Alfozaie, a local resident known in the community for elaborate seasonal displays that change for different holidays and frequently draw people stopping to take photos.
More Stories
A neighborhood attraction known for bringing smiles year-round is now damaged after a man was caught on camera ripping the arm off a giant decorative skeleton Sunday night.
Surveillance video shows the man approaching the display around 9 p.m. near the corner of Berry Street and Metropolitan Avenue. Moments later, he pulls on one of the skeleton’s arms until it breaks off, then throws it back at the decoration before walking away.
“Somebody broke him last year as well," Abdullateef Alfozaie explained. "I had to rebuild him and then obviously last night somebody in a drunken stupor decided to rip out his arm and smack him with it.”
The skeleton belongs to Alfozaie, a local resident known in the community for elaborate seasonal displays that change for different holidays and frequently draw people stopping to take photos.
Alfozaie said he puts up the decorations to bring joy to neighbors and was upset someone would damage something meant for the community.
“It’s very frustrating because what is the point clearly it’s meant for the neighborhood, everybody enjoys it,” he said. “It gets complimented and somebody decided, 'Oh hey, I’m gonna wreck it.'”
Alfozaie said he plans to repair the skeleton but may take it down until Halloween.
He also wants whoever vandalized it to be held accountable.
“I mean, actions have consequences," he said.
