Two New York based women arrested in IS-style bomb plot

NEW YORK, April 2 (UPI) -- Two women were arrested by federal authorities Thursday in New York in connection with a plot to build and detonate an explosive device.

Noelle Valentzas, 28, and Asia Siddiqui, 31, U.S. citizens and roommates in Queens, N.Y., attempted to build a bomb of propane tanks for a terrorist attack in the United States after they were influenced by Islamic State propaganda and websites, court documents allege. They were arrested without incident Thursday as part of a lengthy FBI investigation, and officials said the public was never in danger.

The arrest follows a similar case last week in which two men were arrested in Chicago for allegedly attempting to launch attacks against the United States, domestically and overseas, in the cause of the Islamic State. The National Security Division of the Justice Department has begun prosecution of over 30 cases, involving people traveling to join IS or to provide support, in the past 18 months.