My first reaction on reading the postings agreed with yours. However, in the local CBS on-line article, in the comment field, a rabbi states Mr. Green is Jewish, has a history of mental illness and is known to the shop keepers.
Here’s the link; scroll down to the comment field:
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/11/30/stores-catering-to-jewish-community-vandalized-in-highland-park-n-j/
I don’t think it matters. I don’t know if he’s Jewish or not, but if he is that doesn’t change the nature of the crime, it’s one of intimidation, not vandalism. As to mental illness, there are procedures to deal with that, if he’s legally insane, he’ll be hospitalized.