Sandy Springs Police have arrested a man they say continued to harass members of a local synagogue.
Charles B. Cortell was charged with three counts of disorderly conduct for accusations that he has been making threats to members of the Congregation Beth Tefillah since the beginning of April, police said.
Police said Cortell called members, left voice mails and sent emails and text messages, often suggesting that Jews would die. He even arrived unannounced at the home-office of one of the synagogue's rabbis, police said.
“Although Cortell is Jewish, his message was largely one of hatred toward the Jewish population , and paranoia about certain political and governmental facets,” Sandy Springs police spokesman Sgt. Ron Momon said in a statement via email.
Police believe Cortell, 47, is mentally ill.
He was arrested this morning after police received a tip that he was spotted in an area near Windsor Parkway in the south end of the city, Momon said.
He was taken into custody without incident and is now being held at the Alpharetta jail.
No information on bond was immediately available.
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