New Year’s terror threats in Munich, upstate NY

According to the FBI, Lutchman and an informant went to a Wal-Mart store to buy knives, a
machete, ski masks and plastic cable ties for the attack. Lutchman also allegedly said that “he hates this land” (meaning the U.S.) and that he wants to live under the caliphate. Officials say Lutchman proposed that he and the informant kidnap a couple of people and kill them.

The business owner expected to remain open Thursday night for New Year’s Eve.

Emanuel Lutchman, of Rochester, was charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists, prosecutors said.

Assistant U.S. Attorney General John Carlin confirmed the attack plan was timed to take place later Thursday, but said, “Thankfully, law enforcement was able to intervene and thwart Lutchman’s deadly plans”.

The FBI said Lutchman had been collaborating with the informants since November and conversations between them were sometimes recorded.

Court papers did not release the name of the bar-restaurant in Rochester where Lutchman planned to carry out the attack. He was arrested Wednesday.

“This New Year’s Eve prosecution underscores the threat of ISIL even in upstate NY but demonstrates our determination to immediately stop any who would cause harm in its name”, United States attorney William J. Hochul Jr., said. He said don’t worry if you’re headed out this weekend, but always report suspicious activity to authorities.

Lutchman was jailed in 2006 for five years after a robbery and his grandmother Beverley Carridice told NBC News he had psychiatric problems since he was a child, but she had never heard him express radical thoughts or admiration for IS.

It is not the first IS-related terror case in Rochester.

Last summer, Arafat Nagi of Lackawanna was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. “I commend the Department of Justice as well as the FBI’s Rochester area Joint Terrorism Task Force, including the State Police, for their hard work and diligence in preventing this possible attack”.

The mayor of Rochester cancelled Thursday’s fireworks display because of the arrest.

He is scheduled to be back in court January 8.

Police Chief Michael Ciminelli said there was no credible threat but cancelling the fireworks would allow more police officers to be available elsewhere in the city as a precaution, according to ABC affiliate WHAM-TV. Investigators say he publicly pledged his allegiance to ISIL and it’s leader and also planned to go Turkey and Syria.