Full Breakdown
Man Charged After Threatening Jewish Couple and Unleashing Dog on Santa Monica Promenade
5/31/2026, 4:35:11 AM
Incident Summary
On May 24, 2024, at about 5:20 p.m., Nay Min Tar, 49, stopped his car on Broadway near the Third Street Promenade, shouted antisemitic slurs, brandished a baseball bat, and ordered his male Cane Corso to attack a Jewish couple crossing the street. The dog bit one victim’s thigh; the Santa Monica Fire Department treated the wound. Officers arrested Tar on Fourth Street minutes later. Santa Monica Animal Control seized the dog and placed it in quarantine at a local shelter. He was charged that day with one felony count of criminal threats (Penal Code 422(a)) and one misdemeanor count of battery, faces up to three years and six months in prison, and was ordered to post $2,500 bail after a court reduced the prosecution’s $50,000 request. A preliminary hearing is set for June 15.
Official Responses
Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman said community safety requires swift punishment for threats of violence. Santa Monica Police Chief Darrick Jacob stressed that hate has no place in the city and highlighted the department’s duty to document and hold offenders accountable. The Santa Monica Police Department noted that the lack of a hate-crime enhancement does not lessen the impact of the reported antisemitic language.
Community Concerns
Jewish community members said the attack appeared motivated by antisemitism. The couple reported they were targeted because they are Jewish and have ties to the Anti-Defamation League, prompting calls for a review of possible sentencing enhancements.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our communities should be safe places for everyone to live, work and enjoy without fear,” — Nathan Hochman, Los Angeles County District Attorney
- “Hate has no place in Santa Monica,” — Darrick Jacob, Santa Monica Police Chief
- “ "The fact that the filed charges do not include a hate crime enhancement does not mean the reported language or conduct was acceptable, nor does it diminish the impact on the victims or the broader community," the department wrote in a statement.” — Santa Monica Police Department statement
- “This guy, he was using antisemitic slogans and rhetoric,” — Benjamin Basire, friend of the couple
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Prosecutors filed only criminal-threats and battery counts, omitting a hate-crime enhancement despite witnesses reporting antisemitic slurs, creating a gap between community expectations and the charges.
Broader Impact
The incident has heightened concerns about hate-motivated violence in public spaces and prompted local officials to reaffirm commitments to monitor and address bias-related threats.
Next Steps
Tar’s preliminary hearing on June 15 will address bail and any additional charges; SMPD continues to review video and witness statements for possible sentencing enhancements.
