The Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) arrested five suspects in possession of incendiary material near two synagogues during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, in Côte-Saint-Luc and Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame- de-Grace.
The police first intercepted a vehicle at the intersection of Décarie Boulevard and Isabella Avenue, in the Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough, according to a press release from the SPVM.
A 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds were in the vehicle, where incendiary objects were located. The suspects were located two blocks from the Chevra Kadisha B’Nai Jacob Synagogue.
Fifteen minutes later, police apprehended two people aged 20 and 22 near the intersection of Chemin Kildare and Boulevard Cavendish, in the borough of Côte-Saint-Luc. Incendiary material was also found inside their vehicle, which was located just steps from the Minyan Keter Torah Synagogue.
“The investigation continues to see if there is a link between the arrests and their proximity to synagogues,” said Sabrina Gauthier, spokesperson for the SPVM.
The investigation led by the Arson and Explosives Module of the SPVM will aim in particular to “determine whether these events are local repercussions of the conflict in the Middle East,” according to the SPVM press release.
After being arrested, the suspects were released with conditions and a promise to appear at the Montreal courthouse and at the Youth Chamber of the Court of Quebec.