A man suspected of throwing a Molotov cocktail at the front door of a synagogue in northern New Jersey last weekend is now in custody.
Philip Sellinger, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey announced the charges against Nicholas Malindretos, 26, of Clifton during a press conference Thursday.
Malindretos is charged with attempted use of fire to damage and destroy a building.
Surveillance video from the temple alleges that Malindretos is seen hurling the firebomb at the temple. Police said the glass bottle broke but didn’t cause any damage to the temple, and the suspect fled down the driveway.
Police responded at around 9:30 a.m. Sunday to a report of property damage at Temple Ner Tamid in Bloomfield.
A license plate reading device located nearby captured a vehicle passing by shortly before and shortly after the incident, according to federal prosecutors. Authorities found the vehicle in nearby Clifton and saw several items consistent with the video of the incident plainly visible inside.
Authorities obtained a search warrant for the vehicle, which they said belongs to Malindretos. Video cameras in the area where it was parked captured footage of the vehicle parking and a man with the same physical characteristics as Malindretos getting out and entering a nearby building.
