A man who disrupted a Shabbat service at a Manhattan synagogue on Friday made anti-Semitic remarks to the police after the incident, prosecutors reported as he was held on bail late Saturday.
Larry Montes, 46, faced arraignment on hate crime charges just before midnight in Manhattan Criminal Court. Judge Janice Chen set his bail at $10,000 cash and $30,000 in bonds, despite the Manhattan DA’s office requesting $50,000 cash and $150,000 in bonds.
Following the chaotic scene at the Central Synagogue on Lexington Avenue, Montes allegedly confessed to police that his actions were motivated by religious bias, referring to the congregants as ‘Swine’ and ‘Fake Jews,’ according to ADA Ali Fazal.
The ADA stated that, in addition to his animosity towards Jewish individuals, Montes admitted to having racial prejudice against black people.
Prosecutors added that Montes claimed he acted “on instinct” and expressed that he was “mad.”
The Bronx resident was charged with two counts of assault as a hate crime, two counts of aggravated harassment, and one count of criminal mischief as a hate crime on Friday evening.
Montes allegedly stormed into the synagogue on Lexington Avenue around 6 p.m. Friday, causing disruption during the Shabbat service.
ADA Fazal described how the defendant interrupted the peaceful worship by “screaming” and rushing towards the “bimah, where the Rabbi was leading the service.”
Prosecutors stated that Montes “grabbed and threw two religious candles and candle holders, breaking them,” with each valued around $10,000.
As the rabbi attempted to withdraw from the assault, Montes continued to intimidate the worshippers, the ADA argued.
Montes reportedly “intentionally struck a 63-year-old worshipper in the face, resulting in a lip laceration and causing her to fall,” Fazal said.
Before leaving the synagogue, Montes allegedly focused his aggression on a 65-year-old African American security guard, the ADA added.
Sources also mentioned that he allegedly shouted “f–k the Jews.”
Judge Chen issued protective orders for both the congregants and the security officer who attempted to safeguard the candles and assisted in removing Montes from the premises.
In a statement to The Post, the Simon Wiesenthal Center remarked that Friday’s incident 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 continued.
Prosecutors disclosed that Montes has a prior criminal record, including incidents from June 2026 and June 2024 where he stole headphones from Best Buy and wielded a knife when confronted by a security guard.
Montes’ public defender argued that his previous offenses were misdemeanors and noted his participation in a program, attending over 20 court appearances almost every month for two years in that case.
He is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 20.
