Suspect In Bomb Threats Claims ‘Growth’ In Head Impairs Judgement

Police in Israel arrested a 19-year-old man Thursday for making a series of bomb threats to Jewish centers and schools across the U.S., including the Jewish Children’s Museum in Crown Heights and the Jewish Association Services for the Aged in Midwood.

Authorities have not released his name but say the suspect has dual citizenship in the U.S. and Israel and was home-schooled.

The suspect’s lawyer claims his client has a “growth in his head” which prevents him from “knowing right from wrong” which rendered him “unfit” for the Israeli military, according to the Daily Mail.

“He’s the guy who was behind the JCC threats,” a police spokesperson told WNYC referring to the multiple threats to Jewish community centers across the U.S. over the past few months.

The suspect used sophisticated technology when making the hoax threats, the spokesperson said, adding that a police search of his house Thursday morning uncovered “antennas and satellite equipment,” according to the WNYC report.

The man is also suspected of making similar threats in Australia and New Zealand as well as to a Delta Airlines flight at JFK in 2015.

There have been more than 150 bomb threats against Jewish community centers and schools in 37 states and two Canadian provinces since January 9, according to WNYC.