The blue lights of a police car, set upon a blue sky background.

MINEOLA, N.Y. — A Queens man has been sentenced to 60 days in jail and three years of probation for targeting worshippers outside a Cedarhurst synagogue with antisemitic remarks and threats last fall, Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced.

Alvin Tirado, 38, of Far Rockaway, pleaded guilty in November to aggravated harassment under a New York law addressing hate crimes. The charges stemmed from incidents on October 4, 2024, when Tirado verbally harassed and threatened a group leaving the Shaare Emunah, Sephardic Congregation of The Five Towns, and later assaulted another man in Lawrence.

According to the charges, Tirado stopped his car near Lincoln Street and Oakland Avenue at approximately 1:20 p.m. and confronted a group of worshippers, shouting antisemitic slurs such as “The Jews are taking over” and threatening to “run all the children over.” He also attempted to instigate physical fights before driving off, narrowly missing a man and his children.

About 20 minutes later, Tirado stopped his vehicle near Barrett Road and Washington Avenue in Lawrence and approached another individual. He shoved the victim, threatened to kill him, and spat in his face.

Tirado was arrested later that day in Far Rockaway by Nassau County police. During the arrest, he became physically aggressive, ramming his shoulder into an officer’s ribs.

“Hate-fueled behavior and violence have no place in Nassau County,” DA Donnelly said. “This defendant’s vile actions…are unacceptable. We remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting members of the Jewish community from harm.”

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