A 36-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly being the person seen on video throwing a Molotov cocktail at a house of worship in Queens, one of two he’s accused of attacking Wednesday night, officials say.
Both attacks happened shortly before midnight, at Iglesia Bautista El Mesias and Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, on 75th and 78th streets, respectively, according to police. In both cases, the man allegedly threw a fireball at the front door. In each case, a fire started when it hit the ground.
The NYPD later linked him to another case, one involving an auto body shop on Rockaway Boulevard. Details on those circumstances weren’t immediately clear Thursday afternoon.
Surveillance footage shows one of the religious institution scenes. The man is seen standing on the sidewalk outside the church fence. He ignites something, then hurls a fireball at the church entrance.
The fireball hits the door and bounces to the ground, where it continues to flame. Firefighters put it out.
Police said charges were pending as of Thursday afternoon.
