A knife-wielding Level 3 sex offender was arrested after chasing a Jewish student through Crown Heights while screaming Nazi threats, authorities confirmed.
Devin Best, 48, of the Bronx, cornered the 24-year-old victim at Park Place and Brooklyn Avenue around 2:50 a.m. Wednesday before the terrifying pursuit began, according to police. The suspect, who holds the highest risk classification in New York State’s sex offender registry, allegedly brandished a blade and chased the startled man as he fled toward his home.
Crown Heights Shmira, a volunteer patrol group that identified the victim as a “Bochur” or young male yeshiva student, released startling footage of the chase. The video captures the victim sprinting toward safety with Best in pursuit, knife visible.
“Go in the house! Now I know where you live, p–y! That’s what I wanted. Hail f–king Hitler!”
Best snarled those words as his target escaped inside, according to the footage. The suspect then appeared to slash the tires of a bicycle outside the residence while bellowing “B–h n—a!” before fleeing the scene, the video shows.
NYPD officers ultimately tracked down and arrested Best. He faces charges of aggravated harassment as a hate crime and menacing, authorities said. The department’s Hate Crime Task Force has taken up the investigation.
Best’s arraignment was pending Thursday, according to the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
The suspect’s criminal history stretches back decades. Law enforcement sources said Best was arrested in September 1998 for the rape of a 12-year-old girl. The following May, he allegedly forced another juvenile victim to the ground and kissed her, according to the sources. Two days after that incident, Best allegedly sexually abused yet another victim. He also has a December 1997 arrest for possession of a loaded gun on his record.
The disposition of those earlier cases was not immediately known.
Level 3 sex offenders represent the most dangerous classification under New York State law, reserved for those judged most likely to reoffend. Best’s status in that category means his personal information, including address and photograph, has been publicly available through the state’s registry.
The Crown Heights incident unfolded in a neighborhood with deep Jewish roots and a history of tense relations between communities. Wednesday’s early morning attack struck at a moment of heightened concern about antisemitic violence in New York City.
Best remains in custody as the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office prepares its case.