Edited by: Fern Sidman

The individual dubbed the “Soup Nazi,” accused of an anti-Semitic attack at a kosher restaurant, remains unapprehended despite public identification and known whereabouts. According to a report that appeared on Saturday in The New York Post, the incident, which occurred at Hummus Kitchen on Second Avenue on the Upper East Side, involved the suspect splashing hot soup on a worker and verbally abusing the staff with anti-Semitic slurs.

On the evening of December 13, at around 9:45 p.m., chaos erupted at Hummus Kitchen. The suspect, identified as Mayra Teke from Paterson, NJ, entered the restaurant and launched into a tirade. As was reported by The Post, Teke attempted to pull down an Israeli flag displayed in the restaurant, threw hot soup at an employee, and called the staff “murderers.” A 45-second video captured the disturbing scene, showing a worker calling the police amidst the turmoil as Teke failed to remove the banner.

One video captures an employee’s frantic call to the police: “He’s inside, he’s like inside of our awning. It’s a woman actually. She’s pulling it [the flag] down. She’s leaving, but she’s throwing all the chairs. She’s crazy,” The Post report said. Another video shows Teke throwing soup and flipping the bird as she walks out. This footage, posted on social media platform X, has since garnered over 13.5 million views, highlighting the widespread outrage and demand for justice.

Despite the clear evidence and the suspect’s identification, progress towards justice has been slow. According to a source familiar with the investigation, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has been hesitant in issuing an arrest warrant, causing frustration among those seeking justice, The Post reported. The source told The Post, “The bulk of the investigation has been concluded, but the suspect lives in another jurisdiction. They need the DA to issue that arrest warrant.”

Mayra Teke’s identity was confirmed by both a neighbor and a family member. Three days after the incident, Teke was confronted by The Post outside her home in Paterson. She ignored the reporter and photographer, instructing a neighbor to say she had “moved out” of the family apartment.

The lack of action has infuriated the Jewish community and supporters of Hummus Kitchen. According to the information provided in The Post report, Sharon Hoota, the restaurant’s Israeli owner, expressed her frustration, saying, “I want justice. I care that someone attacked my employee and police know who it is and nobody did nothing about it.”

The suspect, described as a well-coiffed, sharply-dressed blonde, had dressed up for the cameras on the day of the attack, adding to the outrage over her behavior, The Post report noted. The incident has been widely condemned, and there are calls for swift action to ensure accountability.

This case highlights the challenges of jurisdictional issues in criminal investigations. While the incident occurred in New York, the suspect resides in New Jersey, complicating the arrest process. The report added that the delay in issuing an arrest warrant has raised questions about the effectiveness and responsiveness of the justice system in handling hate crimes.

Hummus Kitchen was targeted again on December 17, in a separate but similarly disturbing incident. This time, a young woman, not identified as Teke, entered the restaurant and fueled an unprovoked argument.