Attempted arson at Montreal synagogue, 38-year-old suspect arrested

A suspect broke a window at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom in Westmount just after midnight Friday, attempting to start a fire. Police arrested the 38-year-old near the scene.

Westmount synagogue targeted in overnight arson attempt

A 38-year-old suspect is set to meet with Montreal police investigators on Friday after an attempted arson at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom, a synagogue on Sherbrooke Street West at Wood Avenue in Westmount, cbc.ca reports.

A 911 call came in just after midnight after a person was spotted attempting to start a fire at the place of worship. Officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal arrived and were assisted by Westmount's public safety team, arresting the suspect near the scene.

Preliminary information from police indicates the suspect broke a window with the intent of setting a fire inside the building. Firefighters intervened quickly, limiting damage to the structure, which police described as minor.

The synagogue was also targeted by vandalism in February of last year.

The incident comes days after Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a speech condemning antisemitism, stating it had reached levels in Canada not seen since the post-war period.

Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)