A 25 year-old man is under arrest, accused of plotting a New Year's Eve terror attack in Rochester.
Authorities say Emanuel Lutchman was planning an armed attack on a bar called Merchants Grill, to show his support for ISIS. Authorities say Lutchman was planning to build a pressure cooker bomb but settled on a knife-attack instead.
According to a criminal complaint, Lutchman bought supplies at a Rochester Walmart including ski masks, zip-ties, knives and a machete.
Lutchman recorded a video taking responsibility of the thwarted attack, according to the criminal complaint.
Investigators say Lutchman, a self professed Muslim convert, has a criminal past as well as previous state mental hygiene arrests.
But this arrest is not the first of its kind recently in Western New York.
Earlier this month, 31-year-old Mufid Elfgeeh, a Rochester pizza shop owner, pleaded guilty to attempting to support and recruit for ISIS.
Last summer, Arafat Nagi of Lackawanna was arrested by the FBI. Investigators say he publicly pledged his allegiance to ISIL and it's leader and also planned to go Turkey and Syria.
You can read the entire complaint against Lutchman here.
Governor Andrew Cuomo issued the following statement regarding the arrest of Emanuel Lutchman:
“The arrest of Emanuel Lutchman is an important reminder of the new normal of global terrorism. Today law enforcement did their job well – but the challenges we face have never been greater, and it is incumbent on every citizen to be diligent and responsible. I want to reassure all New Yorkers and our state’s visitors that we are taking every precaution to keep people safe, and are in regular contact with our partners in both the federal government and local communities, statewide. I commend the Department of Justice as well as the FBI’s Rochester area Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the State Police, for their hard work and diligence in preventing this possible attack.”
Stay in Touch Anywhere, Anytime with News, Weather and Video -- Download the WKBW app:
Or Sign Up for Our Newsletters -- Delivered to Your E-mail:
