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Alleged anti-Israel arsonist accused of torching 11 NYPD cars arrested by feds: sources

Alleged anti-Israel arsonist accused of torching 11 NYPD cars arrested by feds: sources

New York Post5 days ago
An alleged anti-Israel menace accused of torching nearly a dozen NYPD cars was arrested by the feds Monday after a month-long manhunt, law enforcement sources told The Post.
Jakhi Lodgson-McCray, 21, turned himself in to authorities after cops alleged the 'Free Palestine' protester set fire to 11 squad cars in a Brooklyn parking lot on June 12 — causing at least $800,000 in damage, the sources said.
He turned himself into the feds and is expected to go before a federal judge later Monday, sources said.
3 Jakhi Lodgson-McCray is suspected in the arson fire of 11 NYPD vehicles and damage to a Columbia University statue.
DCPI
It comes after the NYPD had blasted out his photo in the wake of the fiery saga and offered up a $30,000 reward for details on his whereabouts.
'We have him on video for about 40 minutes prior to the incident. He is by himself, and, like I said, a substantial video canvass after the fact, where we track him all the way back to Manhattan,' NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said last month.
In addition to the arson attack, the suspect — who already had a string of protest-related arrests to his name — also allegedly wrecked a statue during a rowdy Columbia University protest last September, police said.
'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.
'We believe, based on his social media, that he's very active in the protest community, involving the Free Palestine movement.'
3 Police said 11 NYPD vehicles torched in Brooklyn on June 12 will cost at least $800,000 to replace.
Gabriella Bass
3 Surveillance footage captured the suspect walking into a local bodega after allegedly torching NYPD cars.
DCPI
Lodgson-McCray's arrest history dates back to January 2023, according to records.
He was also previously busted for resisting arrest at an anti-ICE protest earlier year, as well as a series of protest-related busts that included burning a flag at a city embassy and at several anti-Israeli demonstrations.
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