UPDATE: Arrests Made After Projectiles Aimed at Visibly Orthodox Jews in Monsey

by  M.C. Millman

Four teenagers were arrested last night following an investigation by detectives from the Ramapo Police Department following an episode this past weekend when projectiles were shot at pedestrians by the four occupants of a white truck.

There were at least three separate instances involving five Orthodox Jews who were targeted by probable BB gun pellets and eggs on Route 306 and Maple Avenue in Monsey. 

The Ramapo Police Department held a press conference at 3:00 this afternoon outside the police department announcing the arrest and charges, along with the identity of the four suspects who allegedly perpetrated the attacks late Motzei Shabbos and into Sunday morning. 

"When hate visits Ramapo," says Chief Martin Reilly,  "it not only rattles the community but rattles the town officials and our offices. We take these crimes very seriously."

The four suspects were arrested and charged with Attempted Assault 2nd degree as a Hate Crime (D-Felony), Reckless Endangerment 2nd degree as a Hate Crime (A-Misdemeanor), Criminal Possession of a Weapon 4th degree (A-Misdemeanor), Conspiracy 5th degree (A-Misdemeanor) Conspiracy 6th degree (B-Misdemeanor) Aggravated Harassment 2nd degree (A-Misdemeanor), Endangering the Welfare of a Child (A-Misdemeanor). 

Cody Vascak-Katchmar, a 19-year-old from Valley Cottage; Kristina Fogarty, a 19-year-old from Tomkins Cover; and an 18-year-old eligible for Youthful Offender status were arraigned in the Town of Ramapo Court by the Honorable Judge Schoenberger. 

Vascak-Katchmar's bail was set at $10,000, and he was turned over to the Sheriff's Office for transportation to the Rockland County Jail. Fogarty was released from custody on $2,000 bail. The 18-year-old suspect was also released from custody on $10,000 bail. 

The fourth defendant, a 17-year-old, was released from custody to a parent pending a Family Court Youth Division appearance due to qualifying for juvenile status. 

"I would like the people of Rockland County and this great country to know," Judge Tom Walsh said during the press conference, "we will not tolerate hate crimes of any type in Rockland County."

"It is vitally important for community members to be alert and be partners to law enforcement," Legislator Aron Wieder shared with Rockland Daily readers following the press conference. "But we can all certainly sleep better because we have great law enforcement in the town of Ramapo and the County of Rockland. I pray that all hate permeating the world will stop. We should all be able to get along; it is not that difficult."

"This type of hateful conduct is totally unacceptable, not to mention engaging in threatening behavior upon a mother and her child being the epitome of cowardice," County Executive Ed Day posted on Twitter. "...Let everyone know that we as a community are better than this, and we will not tolerate this hateful conduct.