The man who allegedly went on a rampage inside a Midtown Synagogue last month was arraigned on a hate crime indictment Wednesday.
Photo by Dean Moses
The man accused of going on a violent rampage inside a Midtown synagogue last month was arraigned Wednesday on a hate crime indictment.
Larry Montes, 46, refused to answer questions about the attack as court officers escorted him through the hallways of Manhattan Criminal Court. He has remained in custody since police say he stormed into Central Synagogue at East 55th Street and Lexington Avenue during Shabbat services.
According to court documents, Montes entered the synagogue at about 6:05 p.m. on Aug. 14, rushed to the front of the sanctuary and shouted that he was “Hashem” before knocking over and breaking ceremonial candleholders. The synagogue estimated the damage at more than $7,000.
Prosecutors allege Montes then charged up the center aisle while yelling antisemitic slurs. As security personnel attempted to restrain him and escort him from the building, he allegedly struck a 63-year-old woman in the face with the back of his hand, knocking her to the ground. She suffered lacerations to her lip and arm.
Court documents further allege that Montes directed racist remarks at a 65-year-old security guard before spitting on and headbutting him.
Police arrested Montes outside the synagogue.
“Our synagogues should be sacred spaces where New Yorkers can worship safely, but Larry Montes violated that sanctity when he disrupted a service at Central Synagogue and assaulted a congregant, as outlined in the indictment,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. “The NYPD will continue to stand with our Jewish communities and use the full force of this department to investigate hate crimes of any kind. I thank the investigators who acted quickly to apprehend this subject and prevent further harm, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for prosecuting this case.”
Montes is charged with two counts of second-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime and one count each of attempted second-degree assault as a hate crime, third-degree assault as a hate crime, and second-degree criminal interference with health care services or religious worship.
“Places of worship should be safe havens, not scenes of violence and hate,” Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. “As alleged, Larry Montes endangered congregants in the middle of services. He is charged with subsequently attacking two people in unprovoked, bias-motivated assaults and destroying religious property, all while spewing bigoted language. An attack on a house of worship threatens an entire community’s sense of safety, and the sanctity of these community pillars must be protected. I commend the Jewish community for its resilience amid heightened antisemitism, and I wish the victims a full recovery. As the Jewish High Holidays approach, we will remain vigilant alongside the NYPD to protect our synagogues throughout Manhattan.”
