Lakeview man accused of trying to set fire to West Hempstead synagogue

I was just about to go to bed and I saw the police cars. Emil Hafner says he saw a large police presence outside of Young Israel of West Hempstead around 1 in the morning Thursday. That's when police say Azam Khan tried to set the synagogue on fire. Court documents reveal witnesses saw the 29-year-old smashing the mirror of a police auxiliary vehicle moments before arriving here at the synagogue. Khan allegedly used a baseball bat to hit the front door. That's when we're told he went to a nearby home and took a lawn sign off its frame, set it on fire, and tried to slide it under the synagogue's door. After a failed attempt, investigators say Khan put the burning lawn sign on a bush. And one of ours was missing this morning. Hafner says he believes it was his lawn sign that was set on fire, but he says he's seen police patrolling the neighborhood in the past. I guess some things you just can't prevent. The suspect was unable to gain entry into the synagogue, and Israel Spiegel says it's a testament to their security. This individual was out here for quite some time trying to get in. I think it's just really important for people to stay vigilant and make sure that they're watching what's going on around them. There's no place for hate in our town. The incident is being investigated as a possible hate crime. Legislator Alina Nix tells News 12 police are stepping up patrols in the area ahead of worship days, but for now, police say there are no active threats to the community. In West Hempstead, Nassau County, Daniela Rodriguez, News 12.