11 NYPD vehicles set ablaze, undetonated explosives found in Brooklyn
BUSHWICK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The NYPD is searching for a masked suspect seen fleeing the scene after at least 11 police vehicles went up in flames early Thursday morning.
When officers went to investigate, they found undetonated explosive devices, similar to M-80s, on three other cars around the charred NYPD vehicles in Brooklyn.
The vehicles caught fire in the police parking lot at DeKalb Avenue and Central Avenue, about two blocks from the 83rd Precinct, just after 1:30 a.m.
Several appear to also have been vandalized, with shattered windows.
Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch inspected the fire damage on Thursday afternoon.
"We want to be clear, no one has a license to commit violence in our city, especially against law enforcement, this damage is unacceptable and we will find the person who is involved," Mayor Eric Adams said.
Police say the explosive devices were made from unignited fire-starter balls and haystack bundles.
"All are legal to possess and can be purchased at stores like Home Depot," Commissioner Tisch said.
Police say they have the suspect, wearing all black and a mask, on camera, hopping a fence to get into the lot. He ran away after an officer caught him in the act.
"We have reason to believe that the person who participated in this act is connected to some of the protests that's taking place in Los Angeles and throughout the entire country," Adams said.
The vehicles in the parking lot were used by the 83rd Precinct and patrol borough Brooklyn North.
Following the blaze, police cruisers were parked outside nearby NYPD parking lots out of an abundance of caution.
The incident has left some business owners in the area shaken.
"I understand the rebellion, you know, especially with our families getting ripped apart," said business owner Jessica Walker.
But Walker says she doesn't support the violence. The former police officer turned businesswoman rushed to her new store after she heard about the fire.
"The neighbors are extremely scared," Walker said. "Business owners are extremely scared. It could have been really explosive and really damaging."
Holding her 1-year-old daughter, Walker says the attack on police property is one reason she got off the force
"It wasn't really a good space in the sense of safety and protection for my family," she said.
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