Wednesday, October 28, 2026
A 29-year-old Lakeview man accused of attempting to set fire to Young Israel of West Hempstead now faces two felony hate-crime charges following an incident outside the synagogue on Oct. 21.
Azzm Khan pleaded not guilty to third-degree arson as a hate crime, a class B felony, and third-degree criminal mischief as a hate crime, a class D felony, according to court records.
He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of third-degree criminal mischief, both class E felonies, and fifth-degree arson, a class A misdemeanor.
Bail was set at $500,000 cash.
According to Nassau County Fifth Squad detectives, officers responded to Young Israel of West Hempstead, at 630 Hempstead Ave., late Wednesday, Oct. 21, where they found Khan and a bush burning near the synagogue.
Detectives said Khan had taken a lawn sign, set it on fire and attempted to push it beneath the synagogue's entrance door. He then allegedly placed the burning sign in a bush, causing it to ignite, before repeatedly kicking the entrance door and damaging it.
Police had initially responded around 11:30 p.m. to a report of criminal mischief at Halls Pond Park, at 831 Hempstead Ave., after a witness reported seeing a man break the side mirror of a Nassau County Police Department auxiliary vehicle and called 911.
While officers searched for the suspect, another man reported seeing someone starting a fire nearby, leading police to the synagogue.
Investigators also linked Khan to the damaged auxiliary vehicle and arrested him without further incident.
The congregation initially reported that an individual had struck the synagogue's glass entrance with a bat but could not break through. Its account also indicated that the flames had gone out on their own.
Khan is expected to return to court on Nov. 4.
