Man suspected of throwing Molotov cocktail inside Brooklyn smoke shop
Exclusive surveillance video given to News 12 showed someone wearing a mask and a hoodie enter a smoke shop on Fulton Street near Crescent Street in Cypress Hills.
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A 36-year-old man is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail through the window of a Brooklyn smoke shop.
Exclusive surveillance video given to News 12 showed someone wearing a mask and a hoodie enter a smoke shop on Fulton Street near Crescent Street in Cypress Hills. Then, through the storefront window, you can see the person reaching back and launching a fireball through the air.
“I was just like, ‘What, what is that?'” said Syed Salman, a store employee.
Salman was working the overnight shift on June 25 when he said a Molotov cocktail was thrown in his direction.
“I just bent down and got up, and I see the Molotov hit the [protective counter] glass,” said Salman.
According to the federal complaint from the United States District Court in the Eastern District of New York, 36-year-old Yogesh Sayrange threw the “incendiary device,” which was made up of a glass bottle with items including screws, rocks and flammable liquid.
“I was scared,” said Salman. “I don’t know what to do.”
Salman told News 12 on Monday that he was able to put out the fire himself, and the device only caused minor damage to the store’s tile floor and the protective shield in front of the register.
Salman said he believed that it was a random attack, but now he’s taking extra precautions like locking the front door during the overnight shift.
“I’m very scared about the people,” said Salman. “Who I know I’m just letting in the store, that’s it.”
Sayrange is also accused of several other recent incidents, which include throwing Molotov cocktails at houses of worship in Queens earlier this month. Those charges are still pending.
News 12 reached out to his attorney for comment, but has not yet heard back.
Sayrange is being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
