A 48-year-old man identified as Devin Best, classified as a high-risk sex offender, reportedly chased a Jewish student at knifepoint early Wednesday morning in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. The incident occurred near the intersection of Park Place and Brooklyn Avenue at approximately 2:50 a.m., according to law enforcement officials.

Authorities say Best approached the 24-year-old victim, identified as a yeshiva student by a local volunteer patrol group, and began verbally threatening him with offensive language. When the student attempted to flee, Best allegedly pursued him while brandishing a knife and continuing to issue threats. Video footage obtained by the community patrol group captures the victim running toward his residence with Best in pursuit. Upon the victim’s entry into the home, the suspect was heard making a threatening statement that included a Nazi salute, then reportedly slashed the tires of a bicycle parked outside the residence.

Police apprehended Best, a Bronx resident, shortly after the incident and charged him with aggravated harassment as a hate crime and menacing. As of Thursday, his arraignment was pending, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office. Authorities have not commented further on the suspect’s motive or background beyond his classification as a high-risk sex offender. The incident has heightened concerns about targeted harassment and hate crimes within the Crown Heights community.