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Azzm Khan, 29, of Lakeview, New York, is accused of setting a lawn sign ablaze and trying to push it beneath the door of Young Israel of West Hempstead, according to police.
After that attempt failed, police said, he placed the lit sign in a bush, which caught fire. He then repeatedly kicked the synagogue door, damaging it.
Police also said Khan damaged an auxiliary vehicle at Hall’s Pond Park, where a witness reported seeing a man break its side mirror and called 911. As officers searched for the suspect, another witness reported seeing someone start a fire nearby.
Officers then arrived at the synagogue, where they found a bush burning and identified Khan as the suspect. He was arrested and charged with two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, third-degree arson and fifth-degree arson.
Law enforcement said there were no active threats to the community.
Yisroel Szpigiel, first vice president of the congregation, said he was disturbed by the incident and that the neighborhood has experienced minor vandalism in previous years, but nothing comparable.
“There’s no place for hate in our town,” Szpigiel said. “Nobody should have to endure something like this. Whether it’s our shul or any of the churches or any of the organizations in the neighborhood. We’ll have to be here to protect each other.”
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