The hateful lunatic who stormed into a Manhattan synagogue during a Shabbat service Friday told cops that Jews were “swine” after the unhinged attack, prosecutors said as he was ordered held on bail late Saturday.
Larry Montes, 46, was arraigned on hate crime charges just before midnight in Manhattan Criminal Court, where Judge Janice Chan set bail at $10,000 cash and $30,000 in bonds over the objection of the Manhattan DA’s office, which asked for $50,000 cash and $150,000 in bonds.
After the sick rampage at the Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue, Montes allegedly admitted to cops that his actions were religiously motivated, and called those worshiping inside the synagogue ‘Swine’ and ‘Fake Jews,’” ADA Ali Fazal said.
Larry Montes was dragged out of Central Synagogue after allegedly barging into a Shabbat service on Aug. 14, 2026. X/StopAntisemites/
“In addition to having animus towards Jewish individuals, the defendant admitted to having racial animus towards black people,” the ADA said at the hearing.
The 46-year-old also admitted to acting “on instinct” and said “he was mad,” prosecutors said.
The Bronx native was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime Friday evening.
Montes allegedly barged into Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue around 6 p.m. Friday during a Shabbat service and unleashed violent chaos.
The 46-year-old assailant allegedly slugged a 63-year-old female congregant, headbutted and spat on a 65-year-old security guard and broke two religious candles valued at $20,000 before he was taken into custody.
He also allegedly yelled “f–k the Jews,” sources said.
The Bronx man was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime and will be arraigned Saturday. Facebook/Larry Montes
The alleged attack took place at Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue and East 55th Street on Friday around 6 p.m. Luiz C. Ribeiro for NY Post
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 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,” the statement said in part.
Montes, who police say is a known emotionally disturbed person, was arrested at least twice before for violent robberies in 2019 and 2023.
He is due back in court on Aug. 20.
