Queens Man Arrested with Molotov Cocktails After Church Arson Attempts
A Queens man is facing charges after allegedly attempting to firebomb two houses of worship and a commercial building in Ozone Park and Woodhaven late Wednesday night. Police apprehended Yogesh Sayrange, 36, shortly after the incidents, reportedly finding him in possession of additional incendiary devices. The events unfolded just before midnight, initiating a multi-agency investigation into the coordinated attacks.
Alleged Arson Attacks on Queens Houses of Worship
The first alleged incident occurred around 10:50 p.m. Wednesday at Iglesia Bautista El Mesias, a church located in the Ozone Park neighborhood. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Sayrange interacting with three other individuals before igniting a Molotov cocktail and tossing it over the church’s front gate. The device reportedly ignited near the main entrance before Sayrange departed the scene. The New York Post published surveillance video that appears to capture this moment.
Following this, authorities received a call at 11:57 p.m. for a report of an incendiary device being thrown at a church on 75th Street in Ozone Park. Fire marshals and the New York Police Department (NYPD) immediately launched an investigation into the incident.
Less than a mile away, in the adjacent Woodhaven neighborhood, Sayrange allegedly continued his spree. He is accused of throwing another Molotov cocktail at the front entrance of a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses on 78th Street. This second act also resulted in a fire, prompting another emergency response.
The FDNY confirmed receiving a second call at 12:08 a.m. Thursday regarding the device thrown at the Woodhaven church. Fire marshals and the NYPD are investigating this incident as well.
Third Incendiary Device and Subsequent Arrest
The alleged pattern of destruction extended to a commercial property. Investigators determined that Sayrange is also suspected of throwing a third Molotov cocktail at a building housing an ambulette service on Rockaway Boulevard near 77th Street in Woodhaven, occurring around the same timeframe as the church attacks. Fortunately, no injuries or significant damage were reported at either of the churches or the ambulette service building, according to police statements.
Around 12:10 a.m. Thursday, officers apprehended Sayrange. Law enforcement sources indicated that two additional Molotov cocktails were discovered in his backpack at the time of his arrest. The recovery of these devices suggests a potential for further attacks.
Broader Investigation and Potential Connections
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities examining potential links between Sayrange and several similar incidents that have occurred in the area since last month. While law enforcement sources have suggested this possibility, no official connection to other cases has been publicly announced. The NYPD and fire marshals are meticulously reviewing all available evidence, including surveillance footage and witness accounts, to ascertain the full scope of Sayrange’s alleged activities.
Sayrange has also been implicated in a separate federal case. He appeared in federal court on Thursday in connection with a criminal complaint alleging he threw an incendiary device into a Brooklyn business on June 25. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York is involved in that prosecution, and authorities are coordinating efforts between federal and local agencies regarding the Queens incidents.
Community Impact and Ongoing Inquiry
The incidents have understandably caused concern within the Ozone Park and Woodhaven communities, particularly among congregants of the targeted houses of worship. While the quick response of law enforcement prevented serious harm or extensive property damage, the use of incendiary devices against places of worship is a grave matter that authorities are treating with the utmost seriousness.
The investigation aims to uncover the motive behind these attacks and determine if Sayrange acted alone or was part of a larger group. The recovery of multiple incendiary devices and the potential connection to prior incidents suggest a deliberate and potentially escalating pattern of behavior. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses and charges are formally processed through the court system.
