Man Arrested In NY Islamic Center Firebomb Attack

Published January 4, 2012 3:36AM (EST)

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York City man who police say confessed to a string of arson attacks at an Islamic cultural center and four other sites on New Year's Day has been arrested on a hate crime charge.

Police say Ray Lazier Lengend was arrested Tuesday on charges including one count of arson as a hate crime, four counts of arson and five counts of criminal possession of a weapon.

He is being held by police and can't be reached for comment. There's no information on whether he has a lawyer.

Police spokesman Paul Browne says he made statements implicating himself in the attacks and had personal grievances with each targeted location.

Crude firebombs were tossed into a convenience store, two homes in Queens, a home in nearby Nassau County and the Islamic center. No one was hurt.


By Salon Staff

MORE FROM Salon Staff


Related Topics ------------------------------------------