Man arrested after Molotov attacks on two Queens churches

A 36-year-old man is in custody after allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails at two houses of worship in Queens late Wednesday night, according to police. The attacks, which caused small fires but no injuries or significant damage, targeted a Baptist church and a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in neighboring communities.

The first incident occurred just before midnight on July 8 at the Iglesia Bautista El Mesias on 75th Street in Ozone Park. Authorities said the suspect threw a firebomb at the church's front door, but it bounced off and exploded on the ground, igniting a fire on the sidewalk. The suspect then walked approximately half a mile north into Woodhaven, where he threw a second Molotov cocktail at the front door landing of the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses on 78th Avenue.

Police apprehended the suspect shortly after the second attack. At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in possession of two additional, unlit Molotov cocktails. The Fire Department responded to both locations and extinguished the flames. Officials confirmed neither building sustained damage and no injuries were reported.

Following the arrest, investigators determined the suspect was also...