Man arrested after throwing Molotov cocktails at 2 Queens religious buildings, police say
OZONE PARK, Queens (WABC) -- A 36-year-old man is under arrest after police say they caught him on camera throwing Molotov cocktails at two different religious buildings in Queens.
Authorities also believe the suspect, Yogesh Sayrange, is connected to an attack at a third location as well.
The suspect is accused of throwing an incendiary device at the front door of the Iglesia Bautista El Mesias church on 75th Street in Ozone Park just after 11:35 p.m. on Wednesday.
Surveillance video appeared to show the suspect, dressed in a hoodie, calmly chatting with a group of people, who appeared to be caught off guard when he started lighting the improvised explosive device.
Investigators say the Molotov cocktail bounced off the door and exploded on the ground, causing no damage to the building.
"I have no words because, like I told you, we have no enemies. The church is growing. I cannot say anything because we have no enemies, so I don't know where this is coming from," said Alex Garcia, the pastor at Iglesia Bautista El Mesias.
Police say the suspect then traveled to a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on 78th Street in Woodhaven, where he allegedly threw a second Molotov cocktail. That device also bounced off the door and exploded on the ground without damaging the building.
A third incident was then discovered at 76-9 Rockaway Blvd. in Cypress Hills. There was no damage to that building.
There were mechanics working late at an ambulette company when the firebomb was hurled into the parking lot.
"We heard like a little bang. I go outside. The floor was on fire," said an eyewitness. "A couple of minutes, I looked down the block. When I looked down the block, the police were all over the place."
No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.
Neighbors said it was especially troubling because of all the kids who play in the area.
Authorities later located and arrested the 36-year-old suspect. Police say they recovered two additional Molotov cocktails from his bag at the time of his arrest.
Charges against the suspect are pending.
"Fortunately, they got him. And I have the cameras also, if they need any more information, I can provide it," Garcia said.
Investigators are still working to determine why the locations were targeted.
The suspect was already being sought by federal investigators for a firebombing in Brooklyn last month, but was not taken into custody until Thursday.
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