NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two men were arrested Wednesday after a Brooklyn pastor and his wife were robbed at gunpoint of more than $1 million in jewelry during a livestreamed church service in July.
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Juwan Anderson and Say-Quan Pollack, both 23, are due to be arraigned later Wednesday on federal robbery charges at Brooklyn Federal Court for their role in the July 24 holdup at Leaders of Tomorrow International Ministry on Remsen Avenue in Canarsie.
A third suspect remains at large, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Brooklyn.
"As alleged, the defendants brought guns into a place of worship, stealing from two members of the clergy, and terrifying the congregation in the process," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. "I commend the Special Agents and Detectives for their outstanding efforts in identifying the perpetrators who committed a crime that shocks the conscience for its brazenness."
According to court filings and an indictment, Anderson, Pollack and the third armed robber entered the church around 11:15 a.m. brandishing firearms, masked and dressed in all black.
Bishop Lamor Whitehead, who was in the middle of his sermon, dove to the floor while his 38-year-old wife shielded their infant daughter who was sitting on her lap.
Pollack stood guard at the doorway, pointing a firearm in the direction of the parishioners and the pulpit, prosecutors said. The third suspect, wielding a gun, approached Whitehead's wife and yanked her jewelry off.
Court documents said Pollack then approached the bishop as he lay on the floor and made sure that all of his jewelry had been removed by Anderson and the third robber.
Whitehead was initially questioned about whether the heist was staged, the Daily News reported.
"The last two months were hell," Whitehead told the outlet. "This clears up the whole narrative that I had something to do with this crime. It's a new beginning."
He is expected to attend Wednesday's arraignment.
A source told the Daily News that police believe the men were strangers to Whitehead, but targeted the bishop and his wife because they knew he often wore flashy jewelry.
Whitehead reportedly filed two $20 million lawsuits earlier this month against his critics on social media.
The bishop was also arrested after he allegedly grabbed a woman on Sept. 18 he claimed was threatening his family, according to the report. He was eventually released without charges.
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