Livingston, NJ – Bader Alzahrani, a Saudi Arabian student who is in America on a visa, was arrested for stealing a school bus in Livingston, New Jersey, on Jan. 17. Alzahrani was charged with receipt of a stolen vehicle and transportation of a stolen vehicle. He will face a federal judge on Monday.
Court documents state that a bag with journals of antisemitic messages was found in a house across from the parking lot where the bus was stolen. The documents also state that a Saudi Arabian passport with Alzahrani’s name was also found.
Authorities say that the journals had entries in English and Arabic. They contained such phrases as “God, I am ready for your orders. I want to live the rest of my life to serve you and the religion.” “Blood, blood, destruction, destruction. Allah.” and “Jews control everything.”
Alzahrani is in the United States on a student visa. Officials say that he went missing in October from the university he was attending. Officials would not name that university.
The incident was very shocking to members of the community.
“I have a daughter, and that just freaks you out that something could happen,” says Miles Finney. “He could’ve tried to pick up kids; that’s crazy that they let that happen.”
Alzahrani could face up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if he is convicted.
