MIDTOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) \u2014 A man is under arrest after allegedly invading Central Synagogue in Midtown, assaulting two people and damaging property, according to New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.<\/p>\n
Larry Montes, 46, was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime late Friday night, Tisch announced on social media. <\/p>\n
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\t The Bronx man is accused of disrupting Shabbat services at Central Synagogue on Friday evening, hitting a congregant, then spitting and headbutting a security guard while they attempted to remove him, Tisch said. This while also damaging synagogue property.<\/p>\n \u201cI understand the sanctity of this space and its meaning for congregants,\u201d wrote the police commissioner in a statement. \u201cIn joy and in sorrow, it has always been a place of comfort and peace. What happened there tonight is deeply painful. A place of worship should never be a crime scene.\u201d<\/p>\n New York City Zohran Mamdani condemned the incident as a \u201cdespicable act.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI am horrified by the assault at Central Synagogue during services today. I can only imagine the pain and fear an attack like this, during Shabbat services, causes for the congregation and for Jewish New Yorkers across our city,\u201d Mamdani said in a statement posted to social media post.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery New Yorker must be able to observe their religion without fear of violence. This despicable act has no place in our city, and our administration will do everything in our power to keep Jewish New Yorkers safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
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