NYPD searching for suspect accused of vandalizing Israeli flag at Chelsea restaurant

CHELSEA, Manhattan (WABC) -- Police are searching for the suspect accused of vandalizing an Israeli flag at a restaurant in Manhattan last week.

The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. last Tuesday at Zizi in Chelsea. Authorities say the suspect used a sharp object to damage the flag in front of the restaurant before fleeing the scene.

The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is now investigating the act of vandalism. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477).

This incident is not the first time that Zizi has been targeted.

Back in May, restaurant co-owner Maor Onono found two swastikas painted over his restaurant's Israeli flag.

"I've been here for 20 years and never experienced something like this. Always felt comfortable with being Jewish, Israeli," Onono said.

WATCH | NYC Jewish restaurant owner says swastikas painted on Israeli flag

Anthony Carlo has more from Chelsea after a restaurant owner says swastikas were painted over an Israeli flag.

The restaurant ended up enclosing the flag in plastic to prevent it from being torn down.

Onono also told Eyewitness News that an Israeli flag at another one of his businesses was also tampered with.

ALSO READ | Man in wheelchair speaks out after MTA bus driver leaves him toppled in Brooklyn street

Pedro Rivera reports on the man who was left behind by an MTA bus after falling out of his wheelchair.

----------

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* More Manhattan news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

* Follow us on YouTube

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.