BREAKING: Following the NYPD’s discovery of a “growing threat” to the Jewish community on Friday, two people were detained this morning in Penn Station. Following the arrests, a sizable hunting knife, an illegal Glock 17 gun, and a 30-round magazine, as well as various other items, were seized.
Today, we’re extremely grateful to NYPD investigators and our law enforcement partners who uncovered and stopped a threat to our Jewish community. This morning’s arrests in Penn Station and weapon seizures are proof of their vigilance & collaboration that keeps New Yorkers safe. pic.twitter.com/p7ptKPgBSj
— Commissioner Sewell (@NYPDPC) November 19, 2022
At Penn Station last night, MTA police officers caught two men who were wanted in connection with threats to the Jewish community.
— MTA (@MTA) November 19, 2022
We are thankful for the quick work of the two officers and the successful collaboration between our City, State and federal partners. pic.twitter.com/MCCeikSS7l
One message reportedly mentioned “big moves on Friday.” This message gave 11:30 p.m. but no target.
Authorities sent a “bolo” warning to the phones of hundreds of NYPD officers with a photo and description of a suspect.
According to authorities, MTA police were told the individuals might travel from Long Island to NYC or PA.
Chris Brown, 22, of Riverhead, Long Island, and Upper West Side residents Matthew Mahrer, 22, was apprehended in the transit hub late on Friday night, according to police sources.
According to the sources, Brown was accused of making terroristic threats, harassing people, and possessing weapons when he was apprehended while sporting a swastika armband.
The authorities stated that the gun was a sizable hunting knife.
According to reports, Mahrer, who is also 22 years old, was accused of illegally possessing a gun, a Glock 17.
Brown and Mahrer were detained by “sharp-eyed MTA police officers.”
The two allegedly carried a “30-round magazine” and a knife and rifle.
City Council member Ari Kagan (D-Brooklyn) shared a police alert from Friday that named Brown as a suspect and claimed that he has a history of mental illness on Twitter on Saturday.
According to the bulletin, Brown has threatened synagogues in the New York region.
Mahrer and his parents live in a building on the Upper West Side, and police officers were there on Saturday night.
The woman who requested anonymity and lives in the building added, “This is awful, very bad news.”
“Having a Nazi in this building makes me feel uneasy. You never know what will occur, the lady added.
Following the FBI’s claim that it had “credible information of a broad threat to synagogues in N.J.,” Mayor Adams declared that NYPD officers had been dispatched to Jewish neighborhoods and places of worship “out of an abundance of caution” on Saturday.
Federal officials in New Jersey detained Sayreville on November 10. Omar Alkattoul, a local inhabitant, is accused by the federal government of threatening to harm a synagogue “based on his hatred of Jews.”
Several anti-Semitic incidents have been made more prominent in recent months by celebrities’ writing and social media engagement.
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