Man admits to intentionally ramming his car into Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters in Crown Heights
Dan Sohail repeatedly crashed into the entrance of 770 Eastern Pkwy. on one of the synagogue's busiest nights and most important days of the Chabad calendar, the 75th anniversary of the Rebbe’s leadership.
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The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York says a New Jersey man admitted to intentionally ramming his car into the Chabad Lubavitch Headquarters in Crown Heights.
Dan Sohail, of New Jersey, repeatedly crashed into the entrance of 770 Eastern Parkway on one of the synagogue's busiest nights and most important days of the Chabad calendar, the 75th anniversary of the Rebbe’s leadership.
The 36-year-old pleaded guilty to damaging religious property in Brooklyn federal court on Wednesday.
Prosecutors say Sohail arrived at the side entrance of the building and exited his car to move barriers that had been placed to protect the building, which houses the synagogue and religious gathering spaces.
He motioned to those nearby to move out of the way before he rammed the gray Honda Accord into the building's side entrance.
Sohail reversed and accelerated into the entrance four more times, eventually knocking the door off its hinges.
The crime was captured on video as bystanders watched in horror.
“By repeatedly ramming his vehicle into the entrance of the ChabadLubavitch World Headquarters, the defendant targeted a sacred institution at the heart of the Jewish community,” stated NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. “At a time of rising threats against Jewish New Yorkers, attacks on places of worship carry deep fear far beyond the immediate damage they cause. Today’s guilty plea holds this defendant accountable for his actions, and the NYPD will continue working with our federal partners to protect every New Yorker’s right to practice their faith safely and freely.”
Sohail’s plea is a complete reversal from his initial explanation for the crime. He initially claimed that his foot slipped, causing him to lose control of the car.
No one was injured during the chaos.
When sentenced, Sohail will face time behind bars and restitution.
