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Suspected NYE terror plot thwarted in Rochester

7 Eyewitness News at Noon

By: WKBW Staff

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A 25 year-old man is under arrest, accused of plotting a New Year's Eve terror attack in Rochester. The threat was enough for authorities in the New York city to cancel its annual New Year's Eve firework display.

Authorities say Emanuel Lutchman was planning an armed attack on a bar or restaurant in the city, to show his support for ISIS.

Authorities say Lutchman was planning to build a pressure cooker bomb but settled on a knife-attack instead.

According to a criminal complaint, Lutchman bought supplies at a Rochester Walmart including ski masks, zip-ties, knives and a machete.

But this arrest is not the first of its kind recently in Western New York.

Earlier this month, 31 year old Mufid Elfgeeh, a Rochester pizza shop owner pleaded guilty to attempting to support and recruit for ISIS.

Last summer, Arafat Nagi of Lackawanna was arrested by the FBI. Investigators say he publicly pledged his allegiance to ISIL and it's leader and also planned to go Turkey and Syria.

Lutchman recorded a video taking responsibility of the thwarted attack, according to the criminal complaint.

Investigators say Lutchman, a self professed Muslim convert, has a criminal past as well as previous state Mental Hygiene arrests.

You can read the entire complaint against Lutchman here.

Governor Andrew Cuomo issued the following statement regarding the arrest of Emanuel Lutchman:

“The arrest of Emanuel Lutchman is an important reminder of the new normal of global terrorism. Today law enforcement did their job well – but the challenges we face have never been greater, and it is incumbent on every citizen to be diligent and responsible. I want to reassure all New Yorkers and our state’s visitors that we are taking every precaution to keep people safe, and are in regular contact with our partners in both the federal government and local communities, statewide. 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.”

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