A Utah man who allegedly threatened to unleash violence on New York City shuls was arrested in a dramatic police operation Friday night, just moments before he could enter Manhattan.

Luis Ramirez, 23, was taken into custody at approximately 5:30 p.m. by Port Authority police in New Jersey, after law enforcement was alerted to a string of antisemitic threats he allegedly posted on social media, authorities said.

Among his chilling online threats, Ramirez specifically mentioned Central Synagogue, a prominent synagogue on Lexington Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, according to police sources. Authorities quickly mobilized after learning he was en route to New York from out of state. Port Authority officers intercepted him at the Lincoln Tunnel before he could step foot in the city.

The swift intervention was made possible by the Community Security Initiative—a coalition backed by the UJA-Federation and the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York—that flagged the alarming threats and worked closely with law enforcement to notify synagogues across the city.

While Ramirez had no weapons in his vehicle at the time of his arrest, he had previously been found in possession of a firearm during an earlier stop in Kansas City, according to an ABC News report.

Despite the disturbing nature of the alleged threats, Ramirez, who has no prior criminal record, has not yet been formally charged as the investigation remains ongoing. He is currently being held at Hudson County Correctional Center in Kearny, New Jersey.

Authorities have not disclosed what charges Ramirez may face, but the case has raised renewed concerns about the growing threats of antisemitic violence and the critical role of law enforcement in preventing potential attacks.

“This is yet another reminder of the very real threats facing the Jewish community,” a law enforcement source said. “Fortunately, in this case, authorities were able to act in time.”

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)