New York – 14 Year Old Under Arrest In Synagogue Fire; Police Seeking 2 Accomplices

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    Firemen gather at the site of the burned Beth Hamedrash synagogue in New York City, U.S., May 14, 2017. (Stefano Giovannini/VINnews.com)New York – A fourteen year old boy has been arrested by the NYPD in connection with the massive three alarm blaze that destroyed a historic synagogue on the Lower East Side on Sunday night.

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    The 132 year old landmark Beth Medrash Hagadol , which had been closed since 2007, was being eyed as a possible site for luxury housing and was vacant at the time of the fire.

    As first reported on VIN News (http://bit.ly/2qsgwOk), a nearby resident reported that students from a local high school would enter the locked premises daily, reportedly setting a small fire at the synagogue just days earlier.

    Surveillance video showed several teens running away from the synagogue around the time the fire was reported. Police they believe the fire was deliberately set.

    The NYPD confirmed that a 14 year old Hispanic boy was taken into custody on Tuesday night in connection with the synagogue fire and was charged as a minor with arson.

    The teen does not appear to have any prior arrests and police refused to say whether or not he lived in the area or attended nearby Seward Park High School.

    According to ABC News, police have already identified two more suspects from the surveillance footage and are hoping to question both of those teens as they continue their investigation.

    138 firefighters responded to the fire, with two sustaining minor injuries.


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    3 Comments
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    Mark Levin
    Mark Levin
    6 years ago

    He’ll get away with it.

    Bezalel
    Bezalel
    6 years ago

    What is his immigration status and that of his parents?

    AuthenticSatmar
    AuthenticSatmar
    6 years ago

    And of course people were already accusing frum people of intentionally setting the shul on fire for selfish purposes.