Updated 06/28/2011 11:32 PM
Brooklyn Man Faces Assault, Hate Crime Charges
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A Jewish man has been arraigned on hate crime charges for allegedly assaulting his Turkish neighbors in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn.
Police say on Sunday evening Simchon Schwartz, 46, pushed his neighbor Selda Turan, poured beer on her head and called her an Arab terrorist.
Her husband, Mustafa Turan, came out of their house to defend his wife and police say Schwartz punched him in the face.
Schwartz ran into a nearby house of worship, where he was later found and arrested.
Residents said such incidents are rare in their neighborhood.
"It is surprising. This is a very quiet neighborhood. I've been living here for three years now, I've never heard that. So it's very surprising," said a local.
"This a lovely neighborhood. I love it here. It's very quiet," said another.
Schwartz was charged with assault and criminal mischief, both as hate crimes, and was released on his own recognizance.
His attorney says Schwartz was the victim of anti-Semitism.