New York ‘lone wolf’ was one hour away from finishing his bomb
She also praised the New York Police Department, saying, “I think they handled it well.”
Officials with the NYPD, which conducted the undercover investigation using a confidential informant and a bugged apartment, said the department had to move quickly because Pimentel was about to test a pipe bomb made out of match heads, nails and other ingredients bought at neighborhood hardware and discount stores.
Two law enforcement officials said Monday that the NYPD’s Intelligence Division had sought to get the FBI involved at least twice as the investigation unfolded. Both times, the FBI concluded that Pimentel lacked the mental capacity to act on his own, they said.
The FBI thought Pimentel “didn’t have the predisposition or the ability to do anything on his own,” one of the officials said.
The officials were not authorized to speak about the case and spoke on condition of anonymity. The FBI’s New York office and the U.S. attorney’s office in Manhattan both declined to comment on Monday.
Pimentel’s lawyer, Joseph Zablocki, said his client was never a true threat.
“If the goal here is to be stopping terror … I’m not sure that this is where we should be spending our resources,” he said.
Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly defended the handling of the case Monday, saying the NYPD kept federal authorities in the loop “all along” before circumstances forced investigators to take swift measures using state charges.
“No question in my mind that we had to take this case down,” Kelly said. “There was an imminent threat.”
Added Kelly: “This is a classic case of what we’ve been talking about �� the lone wolf, an individual, self-radicalized. This is the needle in the haystack problem we face as a country and as a city.”
Authorities described Pimentel as an unemployed U.S. citizen and “al-Qaida sympathizer” who was born in the Dominican Republic. He had lived most of his life in Manhattan, aside from about five years in the upstate city of Schenectady, where authorities say he had an arrested for credit card fraud.
His mother said he was raised Roman Catholic. But he converted to Islam in 2004 and went by the name Muhammad Yusuf, authorities said.
Using a tip from police in Albany, the NYPD had been watching Pimentel using a confidential informant for the past year. Investigators learned that he was energized and motivated to carry out his plan by the Sept. 30 killing of al-Qaida’s U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, police said.
Pimentel was under constant surveillance as he shopped for the pipe bombmaterials. He also was overheard talking about attacking police patrol cars and postal facilities, killing soldiers returning home from abroad andbombing a police station in Bayonne, N.J., authorizes said.
Friends - I'm in trouble - and I need your help
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I’m in France at the moment and one day a year everybody goes to work and donates their pay for that day to the elderly to purchase air conditioners and new appliances and generally things to make their lives more comfortable. It’s called “the day of solidarity.”
In light of the recent unfortunate circumstances to befall Mr. Bear and Joel I propose those who can, work June 6th (D-Day) for Mr Bear. It’s one day to help save a life and if we all pitch in we can do it.
This June 6th I will be fighting all day in France to save a life! (Donating my day’s wage for Mr. Bear’s Surgery) Who’s with me!?
Wow Kyle… Thank you… I don’t know what else to say!! Mr. Bear and I look forward to spending a day with you when you get back home.
Thank you…
We’re going to be looking just like them right after this surgery gentlemen.
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Good luck brother. I’m looking into see what I can do.
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Glad to help out brother, keep us posted.
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I’d have to specifically count it all up, but AxisandAllies.org has raised something to the tune of $700 for Mr. Bear… and several of you have made serious commitments to fight for even more.
I don’t know what to say guys… other than I am so honored and humbled by all of you and that I am running out of words to express how this feels. Thank you again.
Many of you I have never met in person, but our friendships are very real and clearly know no bounds. You have all made the effort to stand and be counted with me, Even some of us who don’t normally get along are all now on the same team; and look at what has been accomplished in just a few short days….
Just those few short days ago I was very concerned about how alone I was with this issue; and I am so appreciative of all of you who are travelling this road with me. This is incredible.
I’m forwarding this to Larry Harris as axis-and-allies is the common denominator for us, he has to know.
I’m just in awe with all of this… thank you gentlemen.
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To celebrate the incredible teamwork so far - I threw this together for fun.
I don’t think I’ve missed anyone, but there are a few anonymous donors… so I can’t say for sure.
Buzz me to get in before we’re out of spots on this photo!
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FYI EVERYONE!!!
Larry Harris just joined us and donated!
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I just donated.
For those who haven’t spoken with Gargantua on the phone, he comes across as a laid-back, cool guy, in a Canadian sort of way. But he’s also capable of getting excited about things; and is incredibly passionate about Axis and Allies. He likes the game even more than I do, which is saying a lot. If you were gathering up a group of guys to go on a hike or camping trip, he’d be one of the first people you’d want to ask. Mostly because you’d want to surround yourself with people who’d be happy and excited to be out there doing something; not people who’d gripe over every little thing.
To those who haven’t donated due to past online disagreements with Gargantua: you have every right to make whatever decision seems best to you. But before making your final decision, ask yourself which is more important. Punishing Gargantua for past disagreements and differences of opinion? Or saving the life of an innocent animal?
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@Imperious:
I hope the dog will get his treatment. But due to past difficulties with you, i must decline the help. I am sorry for that, but i felt at least i wanted you to know i do feel for your problem. Hope all goes well in the end.
You’re willing to let a dog potentially die because you have had issues with it’s owner? You’re not much of an animal person are you?
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Gentlemen, Thank you VERY much for stepping up to be counted, I really appreciate it.
As for my ever-long arch enemy Imperious Leader… you know what - the dude showed up and wished me well.
That is certainly more than I ever expected from him, and I’m grateful for his support all the same. That is why I consider him included as part of our team for Mr. Bear; because there are things that greatly transcend our petty differences.
As you all know, I haven’t always been on the right side of moral color around here. So I accept all the help, friendships, concern, support, and prayer that everyone is offering. That’s what has made this whole thing such a success…
So let’s avoid any derailments or further discussion on negative items, and avoid anything that will take away from what this whole thing is about - please. All the disgruntlements are left behind.
Kurt, Seth, glad to have you both with us! It is an honor to be able to call you my friends.
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FYI EVERYONE!!!
Larry Harris just joined us and donated!
I’ve met Larry Harris in person. He seemed like a genuine, good man. Easy to like and trust. His recent action reinforces my opinion of his personality and character.
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Well he stood to be counted amongst the troops - that’s for sure.
And he called our bunch “best and brightest!”
Perhaps I’ll post the email!
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Garg, You should use this WW2 Propaganda poster:
And I wish the best of luck for Mr. Bear!
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So who is the other person bestowing thanks upon donators on your fundrazr page? Family?
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Very cool… love the photo!
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So who is the other person bestowing thanks upon donators on your fundrazr page? Family?
Amanda…
Let’s just say it’s a little complicated ;) but that she loves the dog as much as I do, and is the only reason I even had the pleasure of knowing Bear.
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If you don’t get enough funds, will the veterinarian carry the balance and allow you to make some payment plan?
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@Imperious:
If you don’t get enough funds, will the veterinarian carry the balance and allow you to make some payment plan?
Up until now, all the Vets have all worked on a half now and half upon completion basis. They don’t finance period.
I believe their fear is that if things don’t go well with your animal, that people abandon the animal, or the payments. It’s probably a valid concern.
In terms of other financing, the bank was also incredibly unexcited about loaning me the money for the dog. I probably should have lied and “bought a car”, but that’s fraud :S.
I’ve invested roughly $1,500 so far - just to get the diagnosis and the referrals etc, and fortunately, due to the generosity of everyone, we’ve raised enough capital to see the Neurologist today, and get whatever scans (CT or MRI) are required.
The surgery is beyond that, and we won’t know what that will cost, or how much more we’ll need, until we’ve got the scans behind us.
As soon as the Oncologist told me that it could be up to $8,000 more to get all the way through this, that I was in trouble. I can’t say enough how much I appreciate all of you being in this thing with me.
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To celebrate the incredible teamwork so far - I threw this together for fun.
I don’t think I’ve missed anyone, but there are a few anonymous donors… so I can’t say for sure.
Buzz me to get in before we’re out of spots on this photo!
This is outstanding!!! Of course I’m the grunt holding the cig, haha. Check out all the landing craft in the background. Awesome idea Garg with Bear in the middle…priceless!
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I’m in France at the moment and one day a year everybody goes to work and donates their pay for that day to the elderly to purchase air conditioners and new appliances and generally things to make their lives more comfortable. It’s called “the day of solidarity.”
In light of the recent unfortunate circumstances to befall Mr. Bear and Joel I propose those who can, work June 6th (D-Day) for Mr Bear. It’s one day to help save a life and if we all pitch in we can do it.
This June 6th I will be fighting all day in France to save a life! (Donating my day’s wage for Mr. Bear’s Surgery) Who’s with me!?
Wow Kyle… Thank you… I don’t know what else to say!! Mr. Bear and I look forward to spending a day with you when you get back home.
Thank you…
We’re going to be looking just like them right after this surgery gentlemen.
Is that Ira Hayes sitting on the far left?
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I suggest to put up something on You Tube and link back to the donation site. But make sure the supporting documents are available as well.