Bloomfield Synagogue ‘Firebomb’ Suspect Is In Custody, Authorities Say

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A suspect in the “firebombing” of Temple Ner Tamid last weekend is in the custody of the FBI and Bloomfield Police Department, the town’s mayor said Wednesday.

Mayor Michael Venezia posted the following message on social media: “I’m proud to announce that the suspect in the Temple Ner Tamid firebombing is in the custody of the FBI and Bloomfield Police Department. More information to follow.”

A man wearing a ski mask threw the ignited weapon at the synagogue building early Sunday morning. The glass bottle broke, but didn’t damage the building, police said.

Video footage of the attack was released, and authorities offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the “attempted arson/bias incident.” Read More: Video Shows Man Hurl Fiery Molotov Cocktail At Bloomfield Synagogue

On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney's Office identified the man as Nicholas Malindretos, 26, of Clifton. He was charged by complaint with attempted use of fire to damage and destroy a building used in interstate commerce.

Federal prosecutors released the following allegations about the incident:

"On Jan. 29 at 3:19 a.m., a surveillance camera at the Temple Ner Tamid Jewish Congregation in Bloomfield recorded a person later identified as Malindretos as he approached the temple. He was wearing a black ski mask, a black or dark gray hooded sweatshirt with a white emblem of what appeared to be a skull and cross bones, black pants, dark shoes, and white gloves. The video showed Malindretos walking up to the front entrance area of the temple, pausing, and then igniting a wick on the top of a bottle. He then threw the bottle at the front glass doors of the temple and fled on foot."

Prosecutors continued:

"A license plate reading device located nearby recorded a vehicle passing by shortly before and shortly after the incident. Law enforcement officers located the vehicle in Clifton and saw several items consistent with the video of the incident plainly visible inside. They obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. Video cameras in the area where the vehicle was parked captured the vehicle parking and a male individual with the same physical characteristics as Malindretos exiting the vehicle and entering a nearby building."

Malindretos is scheduled to have his initial appearance in Newark federal court on Thursday. The count of attempted use of fire to damage and destroy a building used in interstate commerce is punishable by a minimum of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, prosecutors said.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Bloomfield Police Department with the investigation leading to Wednesday's charges.

A rising wave of community leaders, elected officials and clergy have expressed support for the temple and decried the incident as an act of hate.

Temple Ner Tamid plans to host an interfaith “rally against hate” on Thursday evening in the wake of the recent attack. Read More: Temple Ner Tamid To Hold Interfaith 'Rally Against Hate'

Mayor Venezia commended the law enforcement agencies involved in the arrest.

"It came with great relief to learn that the individual responsible for committing this heinous hate crime has been brought to justice, nevertheless we will continue to work diligently with the community through this difficult time," Venezia said.

"I want to assure our residents that we stand united in our opposition to all forms of hate and discrimination in Bloomfield, and are committed to maintaining a safe and inclusive environment for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation," the mayor added.

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