Suspect who allegedly torched NYPD cars, causing $800K in damage, identified as anti-Israel protester who's been in trouble before
The arson suspect accused of torching nearly a dozen NYPD cop cars in Brooklyn was identified Wednesday as an anti-Israel troublemaker with a string of protest-related arrests, cops said.
The NYPD blasted out Jakhi Lodgson-McCray's photo on social media as they continue to hunt for the 21-year-old 'Free Palestine' protester who they said set fire to 11 cop cars last week — causing at least $800,000 in damage. He is also accused of wrecking a statue during a rowdy Columbia University protest.
'There is zero tolerance for anyone who attacks the NYPD,' the department said on X.
4 Jakhi Lodgson-McCray is suspected in the arson fire of 11 NYPD vehicles and damage to a Columbia University statue.
DCPI
4 Police said 11 NYPD vehicles torched in Brooklyn on June 12 will cost at least $800,000 to replace.
Gabriella Bass
'We believe that he acted alone,' NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said of the fiery June 12 incident near the Patrol Borough Brooklyn North headquarters.
'We have him on video for about 40 minutes prior to the incident. He is by himself, and, like I said, a substantial video canvass after the fact, where we track him all the way back to Manhattan.
'Several times during his escape, he changes his clothing,' Kenny said. 'He's wearing a hoodie cinched up so you can't see his face, and wearing a mask. But we do believe that he acted alone, and obviously he targeted this location because it is a police facility.'
4 Surveillance footage captured Jakhi Lodgson-McCray walking into a local bodega after allegedly torching NYPD cars.
DCPI
Police tracked down surveillance footage and identified Lodgson-McCray four days later, the chief said.
But the cop car caper isn't the only reason police want to nab him.
'He's also wanted for a criminal mischief incident in Columbia University back in September, where he disguised himself as a student and caused over $1,000 of damage to a statue on the campus,' Kenny said. 'We believe, based on his social media, that he's very active in the protest community, involving the Free Palestine movement.'
4 Nearly a dozen NYPD vehicles torched on June 12 were parked down the block from Brooklyn Borough North HQ.
Gabriella Bass
Records show that Lodgson-McCray has a string of arrests dating to January 2023, including for resisting arrest at an anti-ICE protest last month, and a series of protests related busts that include burning a flag at a city embassy and at several anti-Israeli demonstrations.
He currently has two open cases, the resisting arrest from May 28 in Manhattan, in which he was released without bail, and a May 15 assault and resisting charge in Queens, records show.
Police are asking anyone with information to reach out to @NYPDTips or call 1-800-577 TIPS.
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