Story by Ethan
On September 9th, 2026, the arrest of Larry Montes, age 46, was announced by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. Larry Montes was charged with two counts of second-degree Criminal Mischief as a hate crime and class C felony, second-degree Attempted Assault as a hate crime and a class D felony, two counts of Aggravated Harassment as a class A misdemeanor, second-degree Criminal Interference with Health Care Services or Religious Worship as a class A misdemeanor, third-degree Assault as a hate crime and a class E felony, and Disruption or Disturbance of Religious Services, Funeral, Burial, or Memorial Service as a class A misdemeanor. The arrest and charges against Larry Montes were a result of an investigation handled by the New York Police Department, specifically officers from the Midtown North Precinct.
According to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, on August 14th, 2026, a Shabbat service was proceeding at Central Synagogue located near East 55th Street and Lexington Avenue in Midtown, New York. At approximately 6:05 p.m. Larry Montes allegedly approached the bimah at the front of the room before yelling that he was “Hashem,”. The defendant was alleged to have then knocked over two religious candleholders which broke them, the total cost coming out to approximately $7,000. Following this Larry Montes proceeded to the main aisle while screaming anti-semetic remarks towards the congregants. While being escorted out by a security officer the defendant struck a 63-year-old woman with his hand which caused her to fall to the ground and suffer a laceration to her lip, right arm, and an additional bruise also on her right arm. Larry Montes then allegedly made a racist remark towards the 65-year-old security guard before spitting on his face and headbutting him. Security managed to restrain the defendant at the scene until law enforcement arrived shortly after.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office stated that the charges against Larry Montes are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
