- Larry Montes, 46, faces multiple hate crime charges after allegedly disrupting Friday night Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Midtown East, Manhattan. Police said Montes struck a 63-year-old female congregant and spit on and head-butted a member of the synagogue’s security team.
- An NYPD sergeant working a paid detail removed Montes from the synagogue following the alleged assaults. Additional police resources were deployed at the synagogue Saturday as congregants returned following the incident.
- Montes was awaiting arraignment on the hate crime charges at the time of the report. New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin said the incident came amid continued concern over antisemitic hate crimes in the city, stating that Jewish New Yorkers represent about 10% of the city’s population but account for more than half of reported hate crimes.