Larry Montes was ordered held on bail after prosecutors revealed he allegedly called Jewish congregants “swine” following his arrest for storming a Manhattan synagogue during Shabbat services.
The 46-year-old Bronx native was arraigned just before midnight Saturday in Manhattan Criminal Court on hate crime charges, where Judge Janice Chan set bail at $10,000 cash and $30,000 in bonds. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office had requested significantly higher bail of $50,000 cash and $150,000 in bonds, but the judge overruled their objection. Montes, who police describe as a known emotionally disturbed person, was arrested at least twice before for violent robberies in 2019 and 2023.
Assistant District Attorney Ali Fazal told the court that after the attack at Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue, Montes admitted to cops that his actions were religiously motivated and called those worshiping inside the synagogue “Swine” and “Fake Jews.”
“In addition to having animus towards Jewish individuals, the defendant admitted to having racial animus towards black people,” Fazal added at the hearing.
The 46-year-old also admitted to acting “on instinct” and said “he was mad,” prosecutors said.
The incident unfolded around 6 p.m. Friday at the prominent Reform Jewish congregation on Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street in Midtown Manhattan. Montes allegedly barged into the synagogue during Shabbat services and unleashed violent chaos, slugging a 63-year-old female congregant, headbutting and spitting on a 65-year-old security guard, and breaking two religious candles valued at $20,000 before being taken into custody. He also allegedly yelled “f–k the Jews,” sources said.
Witnesses described the terrifying moments inside the sanctuary. “He was screaming and yelling,” Susan Roane, who attended the service, told WCBS. “I heard a loud pop. And the first thing I heard — we thought it was a gun.”
Fellow congregant Arlynn Greenbaum, who was also at the service, said she couldn’t make out what Montes was specifically saying but recalled his demeanor. “He looked like a maniac,” Greenbaum said. “When I saw he wasn’t armed, I mean, he was just ranting and raving and yelling. But I wanted to go under cover. I mean, I thought, who the hell knows what he’s gonna do?” She added: “He was very full of hate.”
An NYPD sergeant who was working a paid detail at the synagogue intervened and took Montes into custody. The 63-year-old woman suffered a small laceration to her lip and pain to her right forearm, while the 65-year-old security guard was spat on and headbutted during the confrontation. Services continued after Montes was removed from the building.
Judge Chan issued orders of protection for both the congregant and security guard as well as an employee and security officer of the synagogue who tried to protect the candles and helped escort Montes out of the building.
In the viral moment that sparked widespread condemnation, the attack occurred during a livestreamed Shabbat service at one of Manhattan’s most prominent synagogues. Video circulated on social media showing Montes shouting angrily near the front of the sanctuary, with the sound of an object breaking audible as congregants reacted in alarm. Montes was later seen being escorted down the synagogue aisle toward the exit while continuing to shout and wave his arms. The incident came days after rabbis had reportedly warned Mayor Zohran Mamdani about rhetoric contributing to antisemitic tensions.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch, who grew up attending Central Synagogue, released a series of statements on X condemning the attack. “I understand the sanctity of this space and its meaning for congregants,” Tisch wrote. “Central Synagogue is where I grew up. In 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,” She added that she spoke with the synagogue’s rabbi after the incident and was “relieved that no one was seriously injured,” noting that additional NYPD resources had been deployed to the synagogue as a precaution.
Mayor Mamdani wrote on X: “I 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. Every 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.”
Governor Kathy Hochul also weighed in on X, calling the attack “appalling” and stating: “Jewish New Yorkers have every right to worship openly, proudly, and without fear. I’m grateful the suspect is in custody and that no one was seriously injured.”
In a statement to The Post, the Simon Wiesenthal Center said Friday’s attack at Central Synagogue “is not just a crime; it is a chilling reminder of the vulnerability that has shadowed Jewish life for generations. For Jews in New York, the sanctuary of the synagogue is meant to be a refuge, not a place where faith and fear are forced into uneasy proximity.”
Montes was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime, with some outlets reporting additional charges including criminal trespass as a hate crime and disruption of a religious service. The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force continues to investigate the incident.
Montes is due back in Manhattan Criminal Court for his next appearance.