The attacker who stabbed four people in a Shul in Rockland County during a crowded Chanukah celebration, has been caught.
The suspect fled the scene in a 2015 Nissan Sentra, driving over the George Washington Bridge into Manhattan — and was promptly arrested by the NYPD at 144th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem at midnight, the source said.
The attacker, whose name was not released, was transferred back to Rockland County around 4 a.m. from the 32nd Precinct by State Troopers, the lead agency on the case.
One victim was left in critical condition in the attack, which happened at around 10 p.m. when a man walked into the basement synagogue in Monsey with a machete or similarly large knife and began attacking people, the source said.
Between 50 and 100 people were inside the shul at that time, which is known locally as Rabbi Rottenberg’s Shul.
Those gathered had just lit the menorah on the second-to-last night of the holiday, according to Aron Kohn, 65, who was inside.
“He just took it (the knife) out and started to run at people,” Kohn said.
Kohn described a frantic scene inside, saying he threw whatever furniture he could lay his hand on at the maniac.
“I saw him stabbing people and I started throwing chairs and tables,” Kohn said.
After slashing four people inside — a fifth person was injured in the panic — the attacker attempted to enter the shul next door to the rabbi’s house, but fled after he failed to gain access.
Victims were transported to Westchester Medical Center and Montefiore Nyack Hospital, a source told The Post.
The incident is the latest in an area spate of violent incidents against the Orthodox Jewish community. So far during Chanukah, eight anti-Semitic attacks have been reported in New York City.
“I am horrified by the stabbing of multiple people at a synagogue in Rockland county tonight,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo tweeted.
“We have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism in NY and we will hold the attacker accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” he tweeted.
Tweeted Mayor Bill de Blasio: “Horrific. So many Jewish families in our city have close ties to Monsey. We cannot overstate the fear people are feeling right now. I’ve spoken to longtime friends who, for the first time in their lives, are fearful to show outward signs of their Jewish faith.”
“It just doesn’t stop,” he said as he rushed north to the scene from the city.
Attorney General Letitia James tweeted: “I am deeply disturbed by the situation unfolding in Monsey, New York tonight.
“There is zero tolerance for acts of hate of any kind and we will continue to monitor this horrific situation. I stand with the Jewish community tonight and every night.”
[Update] New York Governor Andrew Cuomo arrived in Monsey earlier this morning to visit Rabbi Rottenberg and the scene where the stabbing took Place — Cuomo called the attack an “act of domestic terrorism”.
