Pennsylvania professor said she stole pro-Israel signs from homes, synagogue because they were 'representative of genocide'

A trio of women were arrested earlier this month in connection with the theft of pro-Israel signs from a synagogue and home in Lower Merion Township, Penn. Among them was 56-year-old Mariana Chilton, who taught health management and policy at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

The professor was subsequently charged with conspiracy: theft by unlawful taking: movable property, conspiracy: criminal trespass, driving an unregistered vehicle, notice of change of name or address, failure to carry a license and receiving stolen property.  

According to NBC10, an officer was driving past the Main Line Reform Temple on East Montgomery Avenue on November 24, 2023 when he noticed a vehicle parked outside. Having been made aware earlier that religious signs had been stolen in the area, he got out and approached the vehicle.

Chilton was inside, along with Sarah Prickett, 39, and Sam Penn, 25, both of whom were later charged as well. In the back seat were a number of pro-Israel signs, and when pressed on their origin, the women said they would return them to the temple. "We are just taking them because we feel like it is representative of genocide," Chilton said during the interaction. They were asked for their IDs, and provided them after a brief verbal disagreement.

Three days later, homeowner Stephen Chopnick called police explaining that two of his "We stand with Israel" yard signs had been stolen, and the same officer responded. Security footage showed Chilton's vehicle passing by around the same time the alleged theft took place. He then went and spoke with the executive director of the temple, who identified signs that had gone missing from the property as those found in the back of the vehicle three days earlier.

With probable cause established, the trio were arrested. According to the JC, Chilton was subsequently placed on adminsitrative leave by the university, with a spokesperson calling her actions "deeply troubling."