A man, identified as Larry Montez, stormed a Manhattan synagogue during Shabbat services on Friday and was released on bail late Saturday, according to prosecutors. After the incident, he told authorities that Jews were “pigs.”
Montes, 46, faced hate crime charges and was arraigned around midnight in Manhattan Criminal Court. Judge Janice Chan set his bail at $10,000 in cash and $30,000 in bond, despite prosecutors advocating for a higher amount of $50,000 cash and $150,000 bail.
“Post-incident, Montez reportedly acknowledged to police that his actions were driven by religious animosity, referring to those worshiping inside the synagogue as ‘pigs’ and ‘fake Jews,'” stated ADA Ali Fazal.
Additionally, during the hearing, it was revealed that Montes expressed hostility not just toward the Jewish community but also admitted to having racial prejudice against Black individuals, according to the ADA.
Prosecutors mentioned that he claimed to have acted “on instinct,” remarking, “He was crazy.”
The Bronx resident was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of mischief as a hate crime.
On Friday, around 6 p.m., he allegedly disrupted Shabbat services at the Central Synagogue on Lexington Street, physically attacking congregants and staff. He reportedly punched a 63-year-old woman, headbutted a 65-year-old security guard, spat on him, and damaged two religious candles valued at $20,000 before being apprehended.
Eyewitness accounts noted that he yelled, “You Jews!” during the chaos.
In response to the incident, Judge Chan issued orders of protection for the congregation and for those involved in removing Montes to safeguard the damaged candles.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center released a statement saying the attack at the Central Synagogue serves as a troubling reminder of the ongoing vulnerabilities faced by Jewish communities. They emphasized that a synagogue should be a place of safety, not of fear, for those seeking refuge in their faith.
Authorities indicated that Montes has a history of mental illness and has faced previous arrests for violent robbery in 2019 and 2023.
He’s scheduled to return to court on August 20th.
