Introduction to the Incident
A man suspected of torching 11 New York City police vehicles in Brooklyn last week — the first of two such arson attacks in the last week — was previously arrested at pro-Palestinian protests and is wanted for damaging a statue at Columbia University last fall, police said.
What to Know
What to Know
- A man suspected of torching 11 New York City police vehicles in Brooklyn last week — the first of two such arson attacks in the last week — was previously arrested at pro-Palestinian protests and is wanted for damaging a statue at Columbia University last fall, police said.
- The NYPD on Wednesday released photos and a video of the suspect, a 21-year-old man from New Jersey, and asked the public for help finding him. He remained at large as of Thursday.
- Police are also investigating whether he is also responsible for attempting to set fire Wednesday to a police van in another part of Brooklyn.
Details of the Arson Attack
The NYPD on Wednesday released photos and a video of the suspect, a 21-year-old man from New Jersey, and asked the public for help finding him. He remained at large as of Thursday. Police are also investigating whether he is also responsible for attempting to set fire Wednesday to a police van in another part of Brooklyn.
In the first attack, police said, a man climbed over a gate around 1 a.m. on June 12 and placed fire starters on the windshields, hoods and tires of multiple vehicles in a police parking lot about a block from a police station in Brooklyn’s Bushwick neighborhood. The man then fled on foot, police said, citing surveillance video they said placed the 21-year-old suspect at the crime scene. None of the vehicles were occupied and no injuries were reported.
Investigation and Connection to Other Incidents
On Wednesday, police said, a fire starter was found on a police van parked outside a diner in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg section. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the device was similar but not the same brand as the ones used in Bushwick. After last week’s fire, Mayor Eric Adams suggested that the suspect was connected to protests in Los Angeles, New York and elsewhere over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement agenda. Police, however, have not made that connection.
Suspect’s Background
The suspect has two pending criminal cases in the city, according to court records. On May 28, he was arrested in Manhattan and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for allegedly obstructing traffic and refusing to move. In May 2024, he was arrested in Queens and charged with assault and resisting arrest. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases. He has yet to be charged in the arson attack or the Columbia University vandalism last September. There, Kenny said, he disguised himself as a student and caused over $1,000 of damage to a campus statue.
Conclusion
The search continues for the suspect connected to the NYPD vehicle arson. The public is urged to come forward with any information that may lead to the capture of the suspect. The NYPD is working diligently to solve the case and bring the perpetrator to justice.
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the nature of the incident?
A: The incident involves the arson of 11 NYPD vehicles in Brooklyn. - Q: Is the suspect connected to any other incidents?
A: Yes, the suspect is also wanted for damaging a statue at Columbia University and is being investigated for a possible connection to another arson attempt. - Q: What is the current status of the suspect?
A: The suspect remains at large as of the last update. - Q: How can the public assist in the investigation?
A: The public can assist by providing any information that may lead to the identification and capture of the suspect.
