An Uber driver discovered a grenade in the back of his car, but NYPD was unable to arrive at the scene quickly enough because pro-Palestinian protesters were blocking the streets.
Obidiah Lashley, 29, was charged with a hate crime assault, assault, criminal possession of a weapon, aggravated harassment, and menacing.
It's not clear who organized Monday morning's protest.
New York City has been subject to the global wave of antisemitic incidents in the wake of the October 7 massacre in Israel.
Police made several arrests at the protest, which began at Grand Central Station and continued onto Penn Station, stopping along the way at Port Authority Bus Terminal.
The NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force is investigating the fire as an anti-Jewish crime and is asking anyone with information to contact the NYPD.
The robbery took place on September 14, 2022, at a tobacco store in Queens.
New York Mayor Eric Adams, when asked about protests that may unfold during the parade, told reporters the city respected free-speech rights but would not tolerate any disruption.
A spokesperson for Adams denied the claim and said the mayor does not know the accuser and does not recall meeting her.
The following day, an inert grenade was found at Holocaust Memorial Park in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and a false bomb threat was called into Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan.
JPOST Digital Library
