(Photo TIMOTHY A. CLARY)
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) identified New Jersey native Jakhi Lodgson-McCray as the suspect behind the torching of 11 police vehicles in Brooklyn earlier in June. The suspect has a criminal history and was arrested prior at multiple pro-Palestine protests, according to authorities.
NYPD said Wednesday that the 21-year-old suspect climbed over the gate at 1:00 a.m. June 12 at a parking lot one block from the Bushwick neighborhood’s police station and placed fire starters on the hoods, windshields and tires of police cars. Ensuing fires caused upwards of 800,000 dollars of damage, according to the New York Post. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said “we do believe that he acted alone, and obviously he targeted this location because it is a police facility.” The suspect was allegedly captured by surveillance cameras fleeing the scene on foot and is still reportedly at large. Kenny added that the suspect changed his disguise “several times during his escape.”
The NYPD’s social media accounts posted photos Wednesday of Lodgson-McCray, adding that “there is zero tolerance for anyone who attacks the NYPD.”
🚨WANTED FOR ARSON OF NYPD PROPERTY:
Jakhi Lodgson-McCray is wanted for setting fire to NYPD vehicles on June 12 in Brooklyn & causing significant damage.There is zero tolerance for anyone who attacks the NYPD.
If you have any info, contact @NYPDTips or call 800-577-TIPS pic.twitter.com/bWQHArrojR
— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) June 18, 2025
Police are also investigating whether he is responsible for a similar attempt to set a police van ablaze Wednesday in another part of Brooklyn.
A Sheriff’s Deputy kicks a tear gas canister back toward protestors on June 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California after the “No Kings” demonstration. Tens of thousands of protesters rallied nationwide Saturday against Donald Trump ahead of a huge military parade on the US president’s 79th birthday — as the killing of a Democratic lawmaker underscored the deep divisions in American politics. “No Kings” demonstrators took to the streets in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, Atlanta and hundreds of other cities across the United States to condemn what they call Trump’s dictatorial overreach. (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 18: A supporter of Iran clashes with pro-Israeli counter protestors at a rally calling for the Trump administration not to go to war with Iran, on June 18, 2025 in New York City. President Donald Trump said Wednesday he had not yet decided whether the U.S. military would take part in Israel’s ongoing strikes on Iran. (Photo by Adam Gray/Getty Images)
Though police have not confirmed a connection, Democratic New York City Mayor Eric Adams suggested that the crime was motivated by recent anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots. Lodgson-McCray’s extensive record of arrests — dating back to 2023 — includes an incident at an anti-ICE protest in May and for burning a flag at a city embassy as part of an anti-Israel demonstration, according to authorities.
The suspect was wanted previously for causing over 1,000 dollars of damage last fall to a Columbia University statue during pro-Palestine protests, police said. He reportedly has two open criminal cases, the first for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest for allegedly obstructing traffic May 28 and another for assault and resisting arrest in May 2024. He has pleaded not guilty in both cases and was released without bail.
