NY police arrests four for planning 'potentially-lethal' attack on Muslims
Police in New York state yesterday identified three young men arrested for allegedly planning a "potentially lethal" attack on a Muslim community regularly targeted by US extremist sites. Brian Colaneri (20), Andrew Crysel (18) and Vincent Vetromile (19) were arrested after police in Greece, New York recovered three explosive-devices and 23 weapons from the suspects' homes. A fourth unidentified suspect (16) was also detained.
The group was accused of planning the attack against a community called Islamberg, several hours drive from Greece, said police. The community of some 200 people is managed by the organization Muslims of America, which thanked authorities for preventing a "possible massacre of the community". Police were tipped off by a high school student who overheard other students speaking of a "next school shooter".
After getting the tip, when authorities searched homes they found weapons legally obtained by parents, but uncovered the attack plot. "The kids did the right thing. When they saw something, they said something. It was a collaborative effort, we uncovered what was probably going to be a deadly attack," said police. The detained men were charged with the possession of explosives.
The three young men are expected to appear in court on February 5. Police said they could still face federal charges, including terrorism. Another plot to attack Islamberg was foiled in 2015, with its author, Robert Doggart, sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2017.
