Official sources disclosed on Wednesday about a suspect involved in the burning of 11 patrol cars in a Brooklyn-based parking area, just a short distance from a local police precinct. The suspect, Jakhi Lodgson-McCray, aged 21 from New Jersey, is known for his participation at various pro-Palestinian and Columbia University rallies. Video footage from a neighborhood bodega placed him near the site of the arson on June 12. He is believed to have acted independently in setting the vehicles on fire.
Authorities from the NYPD stated that Lodgson-McCray carried the tools allegedly used for the arson in a reusable shopping tote bag. According to recorded surveillance footage, he was alone during the entire incident and subsequently also during his getaway. Multiple clothing changes were noted during his escape, with him donning a tightly fitted hoodie and a mask to conceal his identity.
Detective Chief Joseph Kenny of the NYPD elaborated on the suspect’s actions. Kenny emphasized that the suspect appeared to be solitary, constantly shifting his attire to avoid recognition. His face was largely obscured by a hoodie and a mask, providing further anonymity.
The accused has previously been linked to charges of disorderly conduct, assault, and resisting arrest in two separate incidents in Manhattan and Queens. Despite the charges, he was released on both occasions without the requirement of a bail. His erratic and unlawful behavior suggested a pattern that was leading towards more severe crimes.
The local law enforcement agency was also investigating an unrelated arson that occurred on Wednesday morning. This incident featured an unattended and clearly marked NYPD van that suffered fire damage to a tire on its right passenger side. The scene of this incident was near Kellogg’s Diner.
Although the circumstances mimicked the Bushwick arson, Detective Chief Kenny revealed that a dissimilar brand of fire-starter kindling was used in this later incident. This difference suggested that while the acts were similar, they were not necessarily executed by the same individual or using the same tools.
Court records cite an instance on May 15, 2024, during a protest near 31st Ave. and 34th St. in Astoria, where Lodgson-McCray allegedly threw eggs at various police officers. Although the officers managed to identify him, he resisted arrest, physically pulling away and hurling insults at an apprehending officer.
Notably, in the previous year Lodgson-McCray was arrested for igniting American and Israeli flags at the Israeli Consulate in Midtown, along with two accomplices. His mode of operating in both these instances indicated a persistent disregard for law enforcement and an affinity for acts of public disturbance.
Further, a criminal incident at Columbia University in September 2024 also implicated Lodgson-McCray. Disguised as a student, he allegedly caused significant damage, worth more than $1,000, to a campus statue. His acts were increasingly daring and destructive, suggesting a dangerous escalation in his behaviors.
Now he stands accused of setting fire to almost a dozen police cruisers located near the 83rd Precinct stationhouse on Knickerbocker Ave. and Bleecker St. in Bushwick around 1:30 a.m. on June 12. His actions have resulted in considerable damage, threatening not just public property, but also the safety of the community.
The cost of the damage inflicted by the arson incident amounted to over $500,000. Furthermore, the expenses associated with replacing the charred vehicles were approximated to be $800,000. Aside from the fiscal impact, these actions threatened local public safety and operational ability of the NYPD; this was much more than simple vandalism.
Detective Chief Kenny conveyed the implications of this incident stating it was not just an attack on law enforcement, but directly on the Bushwick community itself. The proximity of the parking lot to several residences which suffered collateral damage reaffirmed his statements about this being an assault on the community at large.
Following the incident, both Mayor Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch were vocal in denouncing the act of destruction. The mayor highlighted a potential connection between the defined act and the anti-ICE protests occurring in Los Angeles, emphasizing that though peaceful protests are a right, destructive actions that violate city property are not tolerated.
Although the FDNY managed to extinguish the flames within minutes, the damage to the patrol cars was substantial; most were completely ruined. Last week, Commissioner Tisch remarked that the surveillance tapes revealed a masked arsonist invading the precinct’s premises by jumping a fence just before 1 a.m.
Investigations highlighted that the suspect was interrupted during his act by a vigilant officer from the 83rd Precinct, catching him in the act around 40 minutes following his break-in. The officer disturbed the suspect while he was in the process of setting fire to additional vehicles, causing him to chuck a piece of plywood and escape through an alley. It is believed that the suspect doused the police cars in gasoline before igniting them.