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Man Arrested After Threatening to Bomb Times Square In Times Square Plot, Man Arrested After Threatening to Throw Grenade
(32 minutes later)
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A Queens man who had discussed wanting to throw a hand grenade in Times Square was arrested late Thursday by federal authorities, two law enforcement officials said.A Queens man who had discussed wanting to throw a hand grenade in Times Square was arrested late Thursday by federal authorities, two law enforcement officials said.
The officials characterized the man’s statements as “aspirational” and suggested that he had posed no immediate threat to Times Square. The officials suggested that the man, identified by one official as Ashiqul Alam, 22, posed no immediate threat to Times Square, and they characterized his statements as “aspirational.”
The man, who was not immediately identified, was expected to appear in Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Friday, where he would be formally charged in a criminal complaint, the officials said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case. Mr. Alam was expected to appear in Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Friday afternoon, where he would be formally charged in a criminal complaint, the officials said. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case.
The unidentified man is not being charged with any terrorism-related crimes, one of the law enforcement officials said. He was arrested after he tried to purchase a weapon, though it was not a grenade or another explosive device, officials said. Mr. Alam, who lives in Jackson Heights, is not being charged with any terrorism-related crimes, one of the law enforcement officials said. He was arrested after he tried to purchase a weapon, though it was not a grenade or another explosive device, officials said.
After the authorities learned of the man’s statement about throwing a grenade, they dispatched an undercover agent who spoke with him about the weapons purchase, one law enforcement official said. After the authorities learned of Mr. Alam’s statement about throwing a grenade, they dispatched an undercover agent who spoke with him about the weapons purchase, one law enforcement official said.
The man, who had been under surveillance for some time, spoke to the undercover agent about purchasing a firearm or firearms with the serial numbers defaced, the official said. Mr. Alam, who had been under surveillance for some time, spoke to the undercover agent about purchasing a firearm or firearms with the serial numbers defaced, the official said.
The man was arrested by F.B.I. agents and New York Police Department detectives from the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He was arrested by F.B.I. agents and New York Police Department detectives from the Joint Terrorism Task Force.
A police spokesman confirmed the department’s involvement but referred further comment to the F.B.I.A police spokesman confirmed the department’s involvement but referred further comment to the F.B.I.
A spokesman for the United States attorney’s office in Brooklyn, which will prosecute the case, declined to comment. A spokesman for the F.B.I. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.A spokesman for the United States attorney’s office in Brooklyn, which will prosecute the case, declined to comment. A spokesman for the F.B.I. did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The bustling, tourist-clogged area around Times Square in Midtown Manhattan has been the site of attempted attacks in recent years.The bustling, tourist-clogged area around Times Square in Midtown Manhattan has been the site of attempted attacks in recent years.
In 2017, a man detonated a pipe bomb in the crowded subway corridor that connects the busy Port Authority Bus Terminal to Times Square. The bomb blast terrified commuters but the only person seriously injured was the person who planted it.In 2017, a man detonated a pipe bomb in the crowded subway corridor that connects the busy Port Authority Bus Terminal to Times Square. The bomb blast terrified commuters but the only person seriously injured was the person who planted it.
The bomber, Akayed Ullah, who said he was inspired by the Islamic State, was found guilty of federal terrorism charges last year.The bomber, Akayed Ullah, who said he was inspired by the Islamic State, was found guilty of federal terrorism charges last year.
Months prior, in May, a different man plowed his car into Times Square’s crowded sidewalks, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring 20 other people.Months prior, in May, a different man plowed his car into Times Square’s crowded sidewalks, killing an 18-year-old woman and injuring 20 other people.
The driver, Richard Rojas, was charged with murder and attempted murder. He told a police officer that he had smoked marijuana laced with PCP, or angel dust, on the day of the deadly rampage, according to the criminal complaint against him.The driver, Richard Rojas, was charged with murder and attempted murder. He told a police officer that he had smoked marijuana laced with PCP, or angel dust, on the day of the deadly rampage, according to the criminal complaint against him.
In 2010, an attempted car-bombing in Times Square was stopped when a sidewalk vendor saw smoke coming out of an S.U.V. and called the police. The car, parked near Broadway, was packed with gasoline, propane, fireworks and fertilizer.In 2010, an attempted car-bombing in Times Square was stopped when a sidewalk vendor saw smoke coming out of an S.U.V. and called the police. The car, parked near Broadway, was packed with gasoline, propane, fireworks and fertilizer.
The police took the would-be bomber, Faisal Shahzad, into custody at Kennedy Airport, where he had boarded a flight to Dubai.The police took the would-be bomber, Faisal Shahzad, into custody at Kennedy Airport, where he had boarded a flight to Dubai.
Mr. Shahzad pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in the case and was sentenced to life in prison. He told the court was a “proud” terrorist at his sentencing.Mr. Shahzad pleaded guilty to terrorism charges in the case and was sentenced to life in prison. He told the court was a “proud” terrorist at his sentencing.