A New Jersey man was arrested for attempting to enter St. Patrick’s Cathedral, located in Manhattan, with two cans of gasoline, lighter fluid, and lighters.

The suspect is Marc Lamparello, a 37-year-old college professor from Hasbrouck Heights, NJ.

Upon entering the cathedral, Lamparello was confronted by a security officer, who told him that he could not enter the building with the items. He proceeded to purposely spill a small puddle of gasoline on the church floor. The officer then notified the counterterrorism bureau of the incident.

During questioning, Lamparello claimed that he was trying to cut through the cathedral because his car ran out of gas and he needed to get to Madison Avenue, but police found that his car was not out of gas.

After being described the situation, many Wayne Hills students were disgusted with Lamparello’s actions.

Junior Jamie Tulpan comments that “it’s sad that churches and religious centers even need guards to begin with, being places of worship. But, in this day in age, that  might be the best chance that we have in protecting our people.”

Just a few days prior to this incident, Lamparello was arrested for refusing to leave the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ, and booked a one way trip to Rome, Italy.

As a result, St. Patrick’s Cathedral increased security measures for those who attended Easter services on Sunday.

Authorities stated that Lamparello faces charges of attempted arson, reckless endangerment and trespassing, and will undergo a psychiatric evaluation and be arraigned in early May.