Lakewood is Furious: Hundreds Rally for Haredi Man's Release After Shocking Arrest
Hundreds rally in support of R’ Binyomin Kubani, a father of eight and BMG talmid, who was jailed without bail after a disputed encounter with a teen day laborer. Community leaders accuse police of overreach and demand accountability.
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A major protest erupted Sunday night outside the Lakewood Police Department headquarters, as hundreds of members of the Orthodox community, including the Roshei Yeshiva of Beth Medrash Govoha (BMG), gathered to protest the arrest and jailing of R’ Binyomin Kubani, a respected Lakewood man and father of eight.
The arrest took place last Thursday, after Kubani, accompanied by his 3-year-old child, reportedly pulled into a car wash on Route 88. According to multiple accounts, he was looking to hire a day laborer, a common practice in Lakewood and across the U.S., to help clean his vehicle’s carpets after meat had leaked inside over Shabbos. Kubani had previously hired workers from this location for similar jobs, including on Erev Pesach.
He allegedly approached a 15-year-old Hispanic teen, asking if he’d be willing to come later to his home to clean the van. The teen reportedly backed away, took a photo of Kubani, and flagged down a nearby Lakewood police car. The minor was then taken to police headquarters to give a statement. Shortly thereafter, Kubani was arrested by Lakewood PD in coordination with the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and booked at the Toms River jail, where he has been held without bail since — awaiting a potential Tuesday court appearance.
Sources familiar with the incident say video footage contradicts claims that the minor fled in fear. “The police report says the kid ran away the moment R’ Binyomin made some ‘solicitation,’ but the surveillance video clearly shows the van leaving before the kid,” said one source close to the family.
Even more troubling, Kubani was accompanied by legal counsel during his initial encounter with police, yet was reportedly not allowed to give a statement or present evidence before being arrested.
The incident has sparked deep outrage in the Lakewood community, with many expressing alarm at the speed and nature of the arrest, particularly given the nature of the allegation, one word from a minor, with no corroborating evidence, resulting in near-instant incarceration.
“What happened to innocent until proven guilty?” one protestor asked. “We’re talking about a married father of eight, a talmid of BMG, being jailed for nearly a week based solely on a misunderstanding.”
Adding another layer to the controversy, community advocates point to a pattern of fabricated claims by undocumented minors in pursuit of U Visas, which provide legal residency to those who report being victims of crimes. “It’s something authorities must investigate,” said one activist. “We cannot ignore this trend when innocent people’s lives are being destroyed.”
Meanwhile, frustration continues to mount over what many see as disconnect and distrust between Lakewood PD and the town’s Orthodox Jewish population. Critics argue that police leadership has failed to build relationships with the community, and some even accuse the department of being openly hostile. “This isn’t the first time a family man has been treated like a criminal with no evidence,” said one protestor. “If nothing changes, it won’t be the last.”
The demonstration outside 3rd Street HQ continues to grow, with calls for the immediate release of R’ Kubani and demands for police accountability and policy reform.
This is a developing story.