Suspect Collared For Jamaica Bias Attacks
Seeking revenge against people whom he believed had crossed him, a 40-year-old man allegedly went on a firebombing spree on New Year’s night, Sunday, Jan. 1, hurling Molotov cocktails at Muslim and Hindu houses of worship and three other locations in Jamaica and Elmont, L.I., according to police.
Law enforcement sources said Ray Lazier Lengend, 40, of 215th Street was collared by members of the 103rd Precinct Detective Squad on Tuesday morning, Jan. 3, as he allegedly entered the stolen car used in the series of attacks that were investigated as hate crimes.
Published reports indicated that, during questioning, Lengend admitted to hurling Molotov cocktails at five locations between 8 and 9:15 p.m. on Sunday night to avenge past grievances. In each case, he reportedly used incendiary devices that were made with Starbucks Frappachino glass bottles.
One of the locations allegedly attacked by Lengend was the Imam Al- Khoei Islamic Center at 89-89 Van Wyck Expwy. According to the New York Daily News, the suspect admitted to firebombing the exterior of the mosque after being denied permission to use its bathroom during a previous visit.
In another instance, Lengend reportedly threw a Molotov cocktail into the 179 Deli located at 179-46 Hillside Ave. after workers at the location allegedly caught him shoplifting on Dec. 27, 2011.
No injuries were reported in any of the five attacks.
Police said the first incident occurred at 8 p.m. at the 179 Deli, where Lengend allegedly entered the
–SEE BIAS ON PG. 30- location and threw a Molotov cocktail at the grill area, sparking a small fire in the process.
About 10 minutes later, authorities said, the perpetrator firebombed a home on 107th Avenue near Sutphin Boulevard. According to police, the perpetrator threw the incendiary device through a front window.
Law enforcement sources said the home suffered extensive damage as a result of the fire ignited by the attack.
Police then responded to the Imam Al-Khoei Islamic Center at around 8:44 p.m. after the suspect threw a pair of Molotov cocktails at the front of the building. The mosque reportedly suffered minor damage to its façade.
Lengend reportedly traveled to Elmont, L.I., attacking with a Molotov cocktail the home of an in-law on Glafil Street, published reports noted.
Finally, Lengend allegedly returned to Jamaica and attacked a Hindu prayer center at a private house on 170th Street near 89th Avenue at around 9:14 p.m. Minor damage was reported.
Members of the 103rd Precinct initially responded to each incident. After determining that each of the attacks were connected, Patrol Borough Queens South provided patrols at all houses of worship within its jurisdiction.
The NYPD also established a grid search of the surrounding area in the hope of catching the suspected bomber. The cases were later forwarded to the Hate Crimes Task Force for further investigation as bias crimes.
Lengend was charged with five counts of criminal possession of a weapon, one count of arson as a hate crime and four counts of arson.
The investigation was conducted by the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force and the 103rd Precinct Detective Squad, police said.
