A man accused of carrying out an antisemitic attack inside a Manhattan synagogue on Shabbat declared to worshippers that he was God before allegedly assaulting two people, prosecutors said Wednesday as they disclosed new details in the case.
Larry Montes, who authorities say later told police the incident was a “racial thing,” allegedly made the disturbing claim after rushing onto the bimah inside Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan on Aug. 14.
“As people tried to worship peacefully, (Montes) interrupted these services by rushing towards the rabbi, screaming that he, the defendant, is the Hashem, the term for God in the Jewish community,” Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Philip Klindt said in court.
The allegation surfaced as Montes, 46, was arraigned before Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Ann Thompson on an indictment charging him with criminal mischief as a hate crime and assault as a hate crime.
Montes, who pleaded not guilty, is accused of entering the synagogue near East 55th Street and Lexington Avenue at the beginning of a 6 p.m. Shabbat service, prosecutors said.
The maniac then spewed obscenities that shocked the nearly 375 congregants, prosecutors said.
That’s when Montes ran toward the temple’s pulpit, knocking two religious candlesticks to the ground and causing more than $7,000 in damage, according to the indictment.
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Security tried to usher him out but the violent cuckoo slugged a 63-year-old female congregant in the face with the back of his hand, causing her to fall to the ground, authorities said.
A 65-year-old security guard grabbed Montes but he lashed out again and allegedly spit in the man’s face, headbutted him — and shouted a racial slur, according to officials.
Montes, who is charged federally, was eventually physically dragged from the front of a synagogue, where an NYPD officer cuffed the hate-spewing loon as he continued to spew rant, prosecutors said.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg attended Montes’ arraignment Wednesday and vowed to keep fighting antisemitism ahead of the Jewish High Holidays.
“Places of worship should be safe havens, not scenes of violence and hate,” Bragg said in a statement.
“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,” Bragg added. “I commend the Jewish community for its resilience amid heightened antisemitism, and I wish the victims a full recovery.”
Montes faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted of criminal mischief as a hate crime.
He will remain in federal custody and is due back in court Dec. 9.