A tallis and tefillin bag was stolen from 770 on Monday by an impostor roaming the building. Boruch Hashem, they were recovered hours later in Manhattan through quick action by Crown Heights and Manhattan Shomrim with the help of technology.

By Anash.org reporter

A tallis bag containing tefillin of Rashi and Rabbeinu Tam was stolen from 770 on Monday and recovered hours later in Manhattan thanks to quick action by Crown Heights and Manhattan Shomrim with the help of technology.

The tefillin, together with a tallis, were taken by a boy who posed as Jewish, but has been verified not to be. The items, valued at approximately $7,000, were in a tallis bag that also contained an Apple AirTag, allowing the owner to track its location.

Crown Heights Shomrim received the report and immediately sprang into action, tracing the signal as it moved from Crown Heights into Manhattan. They alerted the newly formed Manhattan Shomrim, who coordinated with Crown Heights volunteers to pinpoint the building where the suspect had entered.

Through careful tracking and quiet surveillance, the Manhattan team was able to recover the bag and safely return it to its rightful owner.

“Hours of diligent coordination, tracking, and surveillance led our members to secure the items and return them swiftly,” Manhattan Shomrim posted following the incident.

770 gabboim warn mispalelim and bochurim not to leave tefillin or any precious item around 770, as all kinds of people wander inside and items can be stolen.

Readers are also encouraged to protect their tefillin by including an AirTag or equivalent tracking device inside the bags so they can be tracked. This is not the first time that stolen tefillin were retrieved thanks to this small and inexpensive technology.

Manhattan Shomrim can be reached at 212-430-2024 or at ManhattanShomrim.org.

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