NYPD investigates arson attack on police vehicles in Brooklyn

BUSHWICK, Brooklyn (PIX 11) — Flames erupted in an NYPD parking lot after detectives say a masked arsonist torched 11 police vehicles in Bushwick Thursday morning. 

According to investigators, a perp wearing all black and yellow gloves hopped a fence to gain entry to the lot, which houses vehicles assigned to Patrol Borough Brooklyn North. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said a police officer caught the perp in the act. 

“A member of service assigned to our station house security at Brooklyn North interrupted the perpetrator as he was setting fire to a number of vehicles, at which point the perpetrator removed a piece of plywood and fled through an alleyway back to Hart Street,” said Tisch. 

City officials say three vehicles were discovered, untouched by the flames, with unignited fire starter balls and bundles of hay strewn across their windshields and around the front and rear passenger tires. Mayor Eric Adams said there’s reason to believe that the suspect is connected to the anti-ICE protests taking place across the country. 

“We received some information that is going to be part of the investigation, but there’s a clear indication that someone that had first hand knowledge of this and taking credit for it,” Adams said.  

He added, “One has a right to peacefully protest, but you do not have a right to destroy the property of the city of New York.”

Maddie Flynn lives nearby and said she heard commotion after the fire broke out just before 1:30 Thursday morning. 

“Just woke up in the middle of the night. Police helicopters kind of swirling above,” said Flynn. 

She added “I think it just reflects how maybe people are feeling in this moment. There’s a lot of tension in this moment and can’t say that I’m surprised.”

The charred vehicles were towed from the scene later in the evening as the NYPD Arson & Explosion unit and the ATF continue investigating the incident. Meanwhile, Adams is vowing to hold the suspect accountable. 

“We are going to find you and we’re going to bring you to justice,” said Adams. “This is a felony. It is arson and we’re going to treat it as such.”