A man who was allegedly seen on video wearing a ski mask lighting a Molotov cocktail and throwing it through the front door of a New Jersey synagogue has been arrested, the FBI said Wednesday.
An FBI spokesman identified the suspect in the Sunday morning attack in Bloomfield as Nicholas Malindretos. The 26-year-old, from Clifton, was indicted Wednesday on federal charges related to arson, NBC New York reported. He will face a judge on Thursday.
Malindretos was tracked in part through video of his Volkswagen going to and from the synagogue, as well as through the license plate reader, according to officials familiar with the investigation. When his vehicle was found, inside he could see clothing similar to the one seen in the video.
Malindretos is believed to have a history of emotional problems, officials told NBC New York.
“No one should realize that their life is at risk for exercising their faith,” US Attorney Philip Sellinger said. “It is alleged that the defendant went to a synagogue in the middle of the night and maliciously attempted to damage and destroy it with a firebomb.”
Temple Ner Tamid issued a statement after the arrest, saying police “will investigate the suspect’s links, if any, to individuals or groups with the goals of hate, violence, treason or insurrection.”
Rabbi Marc Katz said the synagogue will “evaluate other options to improve our long-term security, [y] We plan to continue a heightened security presence in the building for several more days.”
If convicted, Malindretos would face up to 20 years in prison. No attorney information was known for him.
No one was injured in the attempt to shell the temple during the early hours of the night. Surveillance footage showed someone in a ski mask lighting a Molotov cocktail and throwing it at the front door of the synagogue, which is part of the greater MetroWest NJ Jewish Federation’s vast five-county network.
The flaming bottle did not damage the temple after breaching the shatter-resistant doors, one of many security improvements made there over the years. The fire was put out on impact.
Rabbi Katz also highlighted the recent improvement in security thanks to a state grant from the Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness.
“We have and will continue to do everything in our power to keep our community safe,” Katz said Sunday.
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