- Oct 17, 2011
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Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with online threats to attack a New York City synagogue, multiple law enforcement sources have told CNN.
New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced the arrests in a statement Saturday. Investigators from the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force and the NYPD Counterterrorism and Intelligence Bureau, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, uncovered what she called “a developing threat to the Jewish community” on Friday.
Christopher Brown, 21, from Aquebogue, New York, is being charged with making a terroristic threat, aggravated harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon. Matthew Mahrer, 22, of Manhattan, is facing a single charge of criminal possession of a weapon, a NYPD spokeswoman said.
Investigators were able to identify an address on 94th Street on Manhattan’s west side associated with a suspect’s friend, the sources said. When police and the FBI arrived there, they learned the two suspects had been there and dropped off a backpack, and were on their way to Penn Station, according to the sources.
Sources said the backpack was recovered with a Glock semi-automatic firearm, a ghost gun with an extended 30 round magazine and laser sight. When the two suspects were spotted by MTA Police at Penn Station they were taken into custody, the sources added.
Investigators told CNN there is a strong belief among law enforcement an imminent attack may have been prevented.
New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell announced the arrests in a statement Saturday. Investigators from the FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force and the NYPD Counterterrorism and Intelligence Bureau, in collaboration with law enforcement partners, uncovered what she called “a developing threat to the Jewish community” on Friday.
Christopher Brown, 21, from Aquebogue, New York, is being charged with making a terroristic threat, aggravated harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon. Matthew Mahrer, 22, of Manhattan, is facing a single charge of criminal possession of a weapon, a NYPD spokeswoman said.
Investigators were able to identify an address on 94th Street on Manhattan’s west side associated with a suspect’s friend, the sources said. When police and the FBI arrived there, they learned the two suspects had been there and dropped off a backpack, and were on their way to Penn Station, according to the sources.
Sources said the backpack was recovered with a Glock semi-automatic firearm, a ghost gun with an extended 30 round magazine and laser sight. When the two suspects were spotted by MTA Police at Penn Station they were taken into custody, the sources added.
Investigators told CNN there is a strong belief among law enforcement an imminent attack may have been prevented.
