New York Man Charged With Hate Crimes After Central Synagogue Assault

A New York City man has been charged with hate-crime offences after police said he assaulted a congregant and a security team member while disrupting Shabbat services at Central Synagogue in Manhattan on Saturday, August 15.

Police identified the suspect as 46-year-old Larry Montes. The New York Police Department said he faces two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, along with other alleged violations. The charges are accusations and have not been proven in court.

The incident began shortly after 6 p.m. as services were starting at the Lexington Avenue synagogue. According to Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, security personnel were attempting to remove Montes when he struck a 63-year-old woman, damaged property, and spat at and head-butted a security team member.

Police said the woman suffered a small cut to her lip and an injury to her right forearm. An NYPD sergeant assigned to the synagogue intervened and took Montes into custody. Authorities said no additional suspects were being sought, while the department’s Hate Crime Task Force continued its investigation.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul condemned the alleged attack. City officials said there was no known continuing threat around the synagogue.