N.J. man charged with ramming car into Brooklyn synagogue - UPI.com

"The incident occurred the night of Jan. 28 at the global headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a branch of Hasidic Judaism, located at 770 Eastern Parkway in the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn. Dozens of people were in the building for an event marking the death anniversary of the movement's leader when a vehicle rammed the headquarters' side entrance several times, causing damage to the doors."

"According to the complaint dated Feb. 24 but unsealed Monday, Sohail drove to the side entrance at about 8:40 p.m. EST, exited the vehicle and moved stanchions placed to protect the building. He allegedly gestured for bystanders to move away from the entrance, returned to his vehicle and drove his car into the building. He allegedly then reversed his vehicle before accelerating and ramming the building again."

"After being taken into police custody, Sohail allegedly told investigators that icy conditions and the heavy boots he was wearing caused him to lose control of the vehicle and press the gas pedal, according to the complaint. He also allegedly said he had visited the building before and had recently learned of his Jewish heritage."

Dan Sohail, 36, of Carteret, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with intentionally damaging religious property after ramming his vehicle into the Chabad-Lubavitch headquarters at 770 Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on January 28. The incident occurred during an event marking the death anniversary of the movement's leader. Sohail allegedly removed protective stanchions, gestured for bystanders to move, then drove his car into the building's side entrance four times, breaking the door off its hinges and destroying his vehicle's bumper. No injuries were reported. Sohail claimed icy conditions and heavy boots caused him to lose control, though he admitted visiting the building before and recently learning of his Jewish heritage. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted.

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