A Brooklyn man has been indicted with arson charges after allegedly setting fire to 10 NYPD vehicles, as well as a trailer, in a secured parking lot. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York unsealed a complaint stating that Jakhi McCray was involved in the incident, which took place in Bushwick, Brooklyn. McCray was arrested and appeared before Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon.
In a joint announcement involving multiple law enforcement agencies, United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. stated in the press release, "This destructive act of arson was deliberate, dangerous, and deeply disruptive." He added, "Setting police vehicles ablaze is not a form of protest—it is a federal crime," highlighting the gravity of the offense. Officials expressed their appreciation for the combined efforts of the ATF-NYPD Arson & Explosives Task Force, the FDNY Marshalls, and the United States Marshalls Services NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force in investigating the case.
Surveillance video recorded at approximately 12:52 a.m. on June 12, shows McCray illegally entering the lot and starting the fires over a 32-minute period. The lot was a holding space for NYPD vehicles serving several precincts in northern Brooklyn. An officer discovered the fires while doing a routine inspection and saw McCray attempting to flee through a fence. Investigators later found a cigar lighter torch, a pair of sunglasses with McCray's fingerprints, and various fire starters strategically placed beneath undamaged vehicles, potentially indicating a premeditated plan to cause more destruction.
Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF's New York Division, stressed the implications of such criminal acts, "Intentionally setting fire to police vehicles is a dangerous criminal act and a direct threat to public safety," as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. The arson caused an estimated $800,000 in damages, as the NYPD has informed, this comes just ahead of scheduled protests last month. The case is being prosecuted by the General Crimes Section, with Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca M. Urquiola serving as the lead prosecutor.
If convicted, McCray may face a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. Authorities have emphasized that the charges outlined in the complaint are allegations only, and McCray is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
