WIND ALERT

Tracking rain and snow overnight. Gusts of up to 50 mph for Thursday

Police: Inwood man threatened to open fire at Yeshiva children’s camp

Nicola Pelle has been charged with making a terroristic threat, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of criminal possession of a firearm.

News 12 Staff

Aug 18, 2020, 3:51 PM

Updated 1,569 days ago

Share:

Police say an Inwood man in possession of multiple guns has been arrested and accused of making a terroristic threat toward a Yeshiva children's camp.
Police say the call was made by 58-year-old Nicola Pelle, of Inwood, who claimed about 500 students were not wearing masks. While police were en route to the call, they say Pelle called again and threatened to get a gun and shoot the individuals at the location if the police didn't get there.
Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder says Pelle said, "If I've got to go out there with a friggin' machine gun and shoot all these people, I will."
During the investigation, the defendant identified himself as the caller and he was placed under arrest without incident.
Following the arrest, police say Pelle was found to possess a valid Nassau County pistol permit, five handguns, rifles and shotguns which included two assault weapons. Ryder says one gun was illegal under state law. All weapons were seized as evidence.
Pelle was arraigned on charges including making a terroristic threat, four counts of criminal possession of a weapon, and two counts of criminal possession of a firearm. Bail was set at $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash.
In a strange twist, within an hour of returning home after posting bail, Pelle was taken away in an ambulance.
Neighbors and friends say Pelle has had lung surgery because of lung cancer. One neighbor says he is on oxycodone, which has made him "not himself."