Police have arrested the man who seriously injured a prominent American rabbi in a hit-and-run attack back in December.
Nassau Police arrested Benitez Rodolfo, 46, of Far Rockaway, Queens, Friday night, and charged him with leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with physical evidence.
Benitez allegedly struck Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer, 71, with his Dodge Ram truck in December before fleeing the scene. Kelemer was thrown 35 feet, and sustained a serious head injury, horrifying the community which he has served for 34 years as the head of the Young Israel of West Hempstead Synagogue.
Police told Long Island Newsday that the arrest was the result of a 10-month investigation but declined to provide any details.
Yocehed Kolchin, a member of the community, expressed relief that police had managed to track down the culprit.
"I was really glad and relieved to see that Nassau County police force made an arrest in this case. I know this investigation has taken a long time-- 10 months-- and it's great to finally have some closure and to be bringing this person to justice" she told Arutz Sheva.
"Thank God, Rabbi Kelemer has made a miraculous recovery, and aside from a walker (that he claims he only uses because his wife makes him) he is back in shul and back to his usual self."