How in the world did they get here?
Even as investigators chase a tip about a possible bomb plot timed for the 9/11 anniversary, Obama administration officials are asking how al Qaeda terrorists could have sneaked into New York two weeks ago with a plan to wreak havoc.
“Why the hell didn’t we bother catching them [as they crossed into the United States]?” an administration security source asked yesterday after a White House briefing.
According to the tip, a Pakistani national and an American Muslim convert sent from Pakistan by al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri arrived recently — the Pakistani on Aug. 30 and the American shortly before, the source said.
He said it was unclear whether a second Pakistani said to be part of the scheme made it through.
The information came from a CIA informant in Pakistan who provided partial names of the plotters and said they had been sent to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden, according to the source.
But the tip could not be confirmed, and none of the alleged terrorists have been identified, according to the security insider.
“They don’t have a second source,” the insider said.
Cops set up checkpoints at the US Open, Citi Field, transit hubs and houses of worship, and armed escorts followed Staten Island Ferry boats.
They are also trying to track down three vans stolen in the metro area, police said.
On Aug. 20, thieves in Jersey City swiped a white 2007 Ford Econoline with Oklahoma plates and owned by the Budget car-rental company, cutting alarm wires at a storage facility and swiping security surveillance tapes.
Two identical green Chevy vans belonging to the Tully construction company vanished on Sept. 1, raising concerns because the company is working on road repairs at the World Trade Center site, cops said.
“This may well be industry-savvy thieves looking to steal expensive construction equipment, but it’s receiving greater scrutiny because of the threat environment,” said NYPD spokesman Paul Browne.
Police Commissioner Ray Kelly confirmed that one of the two missing construction vans has been recovered in Queens.
Meanwhile, the NYPD last night issued an alert about a North Carolina man reported missing since Tuesday who is “addicted to pills,” armed and headed to Ground Zero for the 9/11 memorial, sources said.
Wesley Wokasch, 33, was facing prescription-drug fraud charges this week, said a Cary, NC, town spokeswoman.
Additional reporting by Philip Messing, Larry Celona, Gary Buiso, Wilson Dizard and Kevin Sheehan