Giant menorah stolen from park in San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Police are investigating the theft of a large menorah that was recently taken from a park in San Francisco's North Beach neighborhood.

Police say around noon on Sunday officers received a report regarding a brass menorah that was taken from Washington Square Park, located at Filbert and Stockton streets. The menorah is described as 6 feet tall, 3 feet wide and weighing about 100 pounds.

The menorah was taken before it could be lit for the second night of Hanukkah Sunday.

Surveillance cameras from nearby businesses could provide clues to police once the businesses reopen. People at the park Monday were outraged. "This is a hate crime, period," Steven Baccari told ABC7 News.

Police are asking metal recyclers to be on the lookout for anyone trying to sell large brass pieces. Members of the community asked others to bring their menorahs from home to the park Monday evening.

"The idea that someone wants to take away that light from us, we're not going to let that happen," said San Francisco resident Miruym Mochkin.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact police's anonymous tip line at (415) 575-4444 or by texting TIP411 with SFPD at the beginning of the message.

Bay City News contributed to this report.