Marc Lamparello, a 37-year-antique man from New Jersey, is being charged with tried arson, trespassing, and reckless endangerment after he was arrested Wednesday night time for carrying canisters full of gas, lighter fluid, and 2 lighters into New York City’s St. Patrick’s Cathedral, police stated.
A security protect at the historic Midtown church confronted Lamparello within the building, which had worshipers’ interior at the time. The shield notified cops stationed nearby, who took the suspect into custody as he tried to leave the vicinity.
John Miller, the New York Police Department Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence and Counterterrorism, informed reporters Thursday morning that the incident “does not seem” to be associated with a terrorist organization or intentions of terrorism.
Miller said that Lamparello is accused of parking a minivan close to the cathedral simply before eight:00 p.M. Wednesday. He allegedly walked across the location, then back to the car, wherein he seemed to pick up the fuel canisters, lighter fluid cans, and prolonged lighters.
“Along with the gas cans, he had two complete bottles of lighter fluid, the type of which you’d use for a grill at domestic and lighters,” Miller stated. “There is sizeable reason to doubt the veracity of his statements, and his reason with the one’s gadgets seemed to be to set a fireplace.”
When Lamparello entered the cathedral, he changed straight away, stopped by the security protection. The defendant asked where he had switched to going and said he couldn’t stroll in sporting the flammable items.
Miller stated that gas spilled on the church ground during the alternate, and Lamparello walked away. The protection flagged officers stopped him along Fifth Avenue for questioning.
Lamparello stated he turned into cutting through the cathedral to get to Madison Avenue and that his vehicle had run out of gas. Officers later checked the minivan and determined that it had become unfaithful.
“His answers were inconsistent and evasive, although he remained conversational with them and cooperative,” Miller said.
Miller instructed newshounds Thursday morning that Lamparello had been formerly arrested at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Newark, New Jersey, using the Essex County Sheriff’s office on Monday night after refusing to go away from the cathedral and resisting arrest.
The Essex County Sheriff’s Office hasn’t responded to comment.
Lamparello had also purchased a flight to Italy set to leave on Thursday night before arriving at the St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City, in line with police.
The incident came days after a huge fire tore through Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, devastating the 700-12 months-antique iconic landmark.