Homeless Nassau Man Threatened To Shoot Easter Parishioners: Police

A homeless man from Baldwin was arrested on Sunday after he threatened the congregation of a church, police said.

According to police, Jose Rodriguez, 50, entered the Inglesia Despirtar Church, located at 1937 Grand Ave. in Baldwin, at 6:32 p.m. and approached a man he knew. Police say he put his fist up to the man's face and said he was going to kill him. According to police, Rodriguez put his hand in his pants pocket to indicate he had a weapon, and then said out loud that he was going to come back and shoot the man and other congregants in the church.

The parishioners called the police, and officers located Rodriguez a short time later and arrested him. No weapon was recovered.

Rodriguez is charged with third-degree menacing; disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral, burial or memorial service; and making a terroristic threat. He is scheduled to be arraigned in First District Court in Hempstead on Monday.

Photo: Nassau County Police Department