NYPD search for man they say is linked to police vehicle fires in Brooklyn
BUSHWICK, Brooklyn (WABC) -- The NYPD is looking for a man they allege is connected to a police vehicle arson case within the confines of the 83rd Precinct in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn police say that on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at approximately 1 a.m., an individual climbed over a gate and entered a police parking lot near Dekalb Avenue and Central Avenue.
They allege that suspect Jakhi Lodgson-McCray placed fire starters on the windshields, hoods, and tires of multiple NYPD vehicles, and a fire ignited, damaging 11 NYPD vehicles.
"This was an attack on the NYPD but it was also an attack on the safety of the community of Bushwick," NYPD Chief Of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.
Police say Lodgson-McCray, who is 21 and from Maplewood Township New Jersey, has been arrested at pro-Palestinian protests in the city and is no stranger to authorities.
"He's currently wanted for this incident, and 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.
Several cars appear to have also been vandalized, with shattered windows.
Police aren't sure what the exact motive in the attacks was last week. While there were anti-ICE protests in the city in solidarity with protests in LA, there were some tense moments with police and protestors.
But detectives say they have surveillance video placing Lodgson-McCray at the scene in Bushwick and leaving.
"Several times during his escape he changes his clothing. He's wearing a hoodie cinched up so you can't see his face and wearing and a mask. But we do believe he acted alone," Kenny said.
The NYPD tracked him into Manhattan last week before losing sight of him. It's now working with the U.S. Marshals Service to apprehend him.
No injuries were reported.
"This damage is unacceptable and we will find the person who is involved," Mayor Eric Adams responded to the arson.
Now police are looking into whether he set another fire on Wednesday morning near the Kellogg's Diner in Williamsburg. Someone attempted to set a parked police van on fire on Union Street, police said.
Detectives are not definitively linking Lodgson-McCray to this incident.
"In this incident a similar device was used, meaning a firestarter, but wasn't the same brand," Kenny said.
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