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Man Arrested on Hate Crime Charges After Disrupting Shabbat Service in Manhattan Synagogue
New York City police took a 46-year-old Bronx man into custody on Friday after he disrupted a Shabbat service at Central Synagogue on the Upper East Side, allegedly injuring a congregant and assaulting security personnel.
Larry Montes faces two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, officials said. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, as synagogue security attempted to escort Montes out, he struck a member of the congregation, caused damage to synagogue property, and then spit at and headbutted a security team member.
The incident caused panic among those attending the service, with witnesses reporting chaos as people scrambled to safety. A 63-year-old woman sustained a cut to her lip and injuries to her right forearm.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani condemned the attack, emphasizing that all New Yorkers must feel safe practicing their religion. “This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe,” he said.
The attack comes amid a troubling rise in hate crimes in the city, with 360 reported so far this year. Of those, 205 were directed against Jewish individuals.
Sources have indicated that Montes has a history of mental health challenges, though authorities continue to investigate the incident.