Brooklyn, NY – A 20 year old Williamsburg man was arrested Thursday on criminal charges after allegedly disrupting services at a Muslim mosque in Bay Ridge last month.
Chaim Weiss allegedly drove past the Islamic Society of Bay Ridge at 6807 5th Avenue multiple times on July 20th at approximately 4 AM.
Weiss’s 2013 Honda was adorned with Israeli flags and was playing Israeli music at high volume, according to court documents, which state that he intentionally disrupted Ramadan services with a demonstration of support for Israeli people in Israel.
Video surveillance footage shows a car driving back and forth past the mosque a minimum of six times, with Weiss parking in front of the mosque, emerging from his car and fleeing the scene after being approached by worshippers.
According to a Police spokesperson, members of the NYPD Hate Crimes task force arrested Weiss, who was later charged with disruption or disturbance of a religious service, funeral, burial or memorial service and disorderly conduct.
Weiss was released on his own recognizance and has to appear again in court Oct. 8