Lakewood Man Released From Detention After Community Goes Crazy
R’ Binyomin Kubani’s arrest on child-luring charges ignited outrage in Lakewood’s Orthodox community. A Superior Court judge released him days later, as his attorneys claimed a mistranslation led to a wrongful detention
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A Superior Court judge ordered the release of R’ Binyomin Kubani, a 40-year-old Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG) yeshiva student and father of eight, on July 7, 2025, following his arrest on July 3 for allegedly attempting to lure a 15-year-old Hispanic teenager into his vehicle. The incident, which sparked widespread protests in Lakewood’s Orthodox Jewish community, was described by Kubani’s legal team as a misunderstanding rooted in a language barrier.
The encounter occurred at a car wash on Ocean Avenue, where Kubani, accompanied by his child, allegedly approached the teen to hire him for cleaning his car’s carpets, a common practice in the area. According to *Matzav.com*, Kubani, who speaks little English, was misinterpreted by the teen, who took a photo of Kubani’s van and alerted a passing police officer. The prosecution, citing Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Lenzi, alleged Kubani made a hand gesture interpreted as soliciting a sexual act, leading to his arrest on charges of luring and enticing a minor.
Kubani’s attorney, Yosef Jacobovitch, criticized the Lakewood Police Department, particularly Detective Charles Messer, for refusing to take Kubani’s statement, quoting Messer as saying, “I will not let him muddy the water with his lies.” Jacobovitch called for an investigation into police conduct, arguing the arrest was hasty and lacked due process. Surveillance footage, as reported by *Lakewood Alerts*, shows Kubani leaving the car wash before the teen, contradicting claims that the teen fled in fear.
The arrest, occurring just before the July 4 weekend, prompted a strong response from Lakewood’s Orthodox community. On July 6, thousands gathered at BMG for a mass *atzeres tefillah* (prayer gathering), followed by protests outside the Lakewood Police Department on 3rd Street. Prominent BMG leaders, including Rav Yeruchom Olshin, Rav Yisroel Newman, and Rav Malkiel Kotler, joined a late-night demonstration, reciting *Tehillim* and demanding Kubani’s release. A smaller protest took place outside the home of Committeeman Meir Lichtenstein. BMG CEO Rabbi Yosef Heinemann issued a statement expressing “deep sorrow and grave concern,” calling the detention a “miscarriage of justice.”
Superior Court Judge Dina Vicari ordered Kubani’s release without bail on July 7, imposing minimal conditions pending a trial scheduled for August 2025. A risk assessment supported his release on recognizance. Kubani returned home to a warm welcome, greeted by Rav Yerucham and community members, as reported by *The Yeshiva World*.