WHITE PLAINS (New York) - FOUR men arrested after planting what they thought were explosives near two New York City synagogues were disappointed that the World Trade Center wasn't still around to attack, a federal prosecutor said on Thursday as the men appeared in court for the first time.

The suspects were arrested on Wednesday night, shortly after planting a 16.78-kilogram mock explosive device in the trunk of a car outside the Riverdale Temple and two mock bombs in the backseat of a car outside the Riverdale Jewish Center, another synagogue a few blocks away, authorities said.

Suspect 'intellectually challenged' WHITE PLAINS (New York) - A DEFENCE lawyer says one of four men accused of trying to bomb two New York City synagogues and shoot down military planes upstate is 'intellectually challenged' and has trouble understanding complex concepts. Attorney Marilyn Reader told a court on Thursday that Laguerre Payen has 'a very low borderline' IQ and is on medication for schizophrenia. ... more

Police blocked their escape with an 18-wheel truck, smashing their tinted Sport Utility Vehicle windows and apprehending the unarmed suspects.

Authorities said the men also plotted to shoot down a military plane.

James Cromitie, 55; David Williams, 28; Onta Williams, 32; and Laguerre Payen, all of Newburgh, were charged with conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction within the United States and conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles.

All the suspects except Payen appeared in federal court in White Plains on Thursday, their hands shackled to their waists.

Lawyers for the defendants, all of whom are US citizens, did not seek bail.

In arguing against bail, Assistant US Attorney Eric Snyder told the judge 'it's hard to envision a more chilling plot' and described the men as 'extremely violent.'

'They were 'disappointed...that the best target (the World Trade Center) was hit already,' he said, adding that the men were 'eager to bring death to Jews.' He also said Cromitie wanted to see what he did on TV and be able to say, 'I'm the one who did that.'

Earlier, Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly spoke at a news conference outside the Riverdale Jewish Center in the Bronx. 'They stated that they wanted to commit jihad,' Mr Kelly said.

'They were disturbed about what happened in Afghanistan and Pakistan, that Muslims were being killed.' Mr Kelly said he believed the men knew each other through prison. -- AP