A 21-year-old New Jersey man is accused of setting fire to 11 NYPD vehicles in Brooklyn last week.
Police are searching for Jakhi Lodgson-McCray, of Maplewood, who allegedly climbed over a gate and placed fire starters on the windshields, hoods and tires of the vehicles at about 1 a.m. on June 12, the NYPD said in a Facebook post.
The suspect fled the scene on foot after igniting the fires, which caused “severe damage” to the vehicles, police said. No injuries were reported.
The suspect was last seen wearing a gray sweater, green pants and a blue face mask, police said.
Lodgson-McCray has previously been arrested in connection with incidents related to anti-ICE and pro-Palestinian protests, The New York Post reported. He is also wanted for an incident in September at Columbia University, where he allegedly caused $1,000 in damage to a statue on campus after disguising himself as a student.
Surveillance footage from Thursday shows the suspect fleeing to Manhattan after the arson incident, according to The New York Post. He was seen changing his clothing several times during his escape, ABC 7 reported. Investigators believe the suspect acted alone.
“There is zero tolerance for anyone who attacks the NYPD,” the police department wrote in a post on X.
The NYPD could not immediately be reached for comment.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or submit tips via X @NYPDTips or the Crime Stoppers Website.
Stories by Rebecca Heath
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Rebecca Heath may be reached at RHeath@njadvancemedia.com.