Why? I'm not the type to normally jump on the anti semitic bandwagon for every time a Jew is harmed/wronged, but lately with what has been going on in Israel and worldwide, I don't think it's a stretch...
If they were described as middle-eastern looking men, I would be certain it's a hate crime. As the details emerge, I might be proven wrong, but the current available facts just don't point to a hate-crime. Sounds like two stupid thugs trying to pull a fast one.
I want to mainly hear from people who live there if this is a high crime rate area.