Two men arrested following disturbance at Buffalo mosque

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Buffalo Police arrested two men on Wednesday following threats of violence made against individuals at a mosque on the 1900 block of Genesee Street.

Police from the Ferry Fillmore district responded to the mosque at around 7:45 p.m. ET Wednesday evening following a call regarding two men entering the mosque without permission.

23-year old Robert Lawrence and 31-year old Davious Kapinski, both of Buffalo, allegedly began making threats to individuals during a religious ceremony. The two men refused to leave until 9-1-1 was called.

Both men were arraigned Thursday morning before a Buffalo City Court Judge and charged with one count of Disruption, or Disturbance of Religious Service, Funeral, Burial or Memorial Service (Class “A” misdemeanor) and one count of Harassment in the Second Degree (violation).

Kapinski and Lawrence are scheduled to return on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 9:30 a.m. ET for a pre-trial conference. Both were released on their own recognizance, as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail.

At the request of the prosecutor, Judge LoTempio issued a temporary order of protection on behalf of the complainant.

If convicted of the highest charge, Kapinski and Lawrence face a maximum sentence of one year in jail.