Suspect who allegedly torched NYPD vehicles in Brooklyn turns himself in, attorney says
The suspect being sought in connection with the burning of nearly a dozen NYPD vehicles in Brooklyn turned himself in to federal authorities Monday morning, his attorney said.
The marked police vehicles were torched back on June 12. Police said the attack was linked to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests taking place nationwide.
Jakhi McCray, 21, faces federal arson charges. Authorities allege he set 10 NYPD vehicles and a trailer on fire.
"The arson attack against New York City Police Department vehicles in Bushwick, Brooklyn was as cowardly as it was criminal," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. "The defendant in this case may have wanted to send a message – but all he did was mobilize the full force of the NYPD, the ATF, and the FDNY to identify, locate, and arrest him. Now, through the work of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, he will face much-deserved justice."
"This destructive act of arson was deliberate, dangerous, and deeply disruptive," United States Attorney Joseph Nocella said. "Setting police vehicles ablaze is not a form of protest—it is a federal crime. Our Office will not tolerate violence or destruction that undermines law enforcement efforts to ensure public safety and will prosecute this individual to the fullest extent of the law."
McCray had previously been arrested at protests in New York City, including twice in May. In both of those cases, the New Jersey resident was charged with resisting arrest, and in one of the two he was also charged with assault.
In both incidents, he was released on his own recognizance without bail after appearing in court and pleading not guilty.
Surveillance video showed a man climbing the fence around a police parking lot near Central and DeKalb avenues, a block away from the 83rd Precinct, during the early morning hours of June 12. Authorities said he was in the lot for about a half an hour.
In addition to the vehicles that had been set on fire, three other vehicles were found with fire-starters on them that didn't ignite, police said.
The estimated cost of the damage is more than $800,000, authorities said.
If convicted, McCray faces up to 20 years in prison.
