NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Two men were arrested Saturday morning at Penn Station in connection with a "developing threat to the Jewish community" that was "mitigated" following their arrests, NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell said.
One of the men is reportedly Christopher Brown, 21, of Aquebogue in Suffolk County, who is charged with making terroristic threats, aggravated harassment, and criminal possession of a weapon.
The other suspect is Matthew Mahrer, 22, of Manhattan, who is also facing weapons charges.
The family of one of the suspects was interviewed by officials and told them that he harbored antisemitic views, a source told 1010 WINS.
"The FBI/NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force, NYPD Counterterrorism and Intelligence Bureau investigators, working with their law enforcement partners, uncovered a developing threat to the Jewish community on Friday and moved swiftly to gather information, identify those behind it, and operationally neutralize their ability to do harm," Sewell said.
Officials did not say what the threat was, but Eyewitness News, citing sources, reported that Brown had made threats against synagogues. He did not specify a synagogue.
"By early Saturday, the NYPD's exhaustive intelligence-gathering led to the arrest by sharp-eyed MTA police officers of two individuals entering Penn Station, in Manhattan, and the seizures of a large hunting knife, an illegal Glock 17 firearm and 30-round magazine, and several other items." Sewell said. "As a joint investigation now continues to establish a strong prosecution, Police Department commanders are strategically deploying assets at sensitive locations throughout New York City."
The men were turned over to the NYPD and FBI from the MTA officers.
"The tremendous police work here reflects the MTA PD’s core purpose – protecting millions of daily commuters, in collaboration with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners," said MTA PD John Mueller.
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