Brooklyn Man Charged with Arson of NYPD Vehicles

Formerly known as the Grimy Times, today’s issue brings you a harrowing tale of destruction and defiance. In a brazen act of arson, Jakhi McCray has been charged with setting 10 New York City Police Department vehicles and a trailer ablaze in a locked parking lot. The arrest was made today, and McCray will appear before United States Magistrate Judge Vera M. Scanlon this afternoon.

United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella, Jr., along with Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller of the ATF, NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch, and FDNY Commissioner Robert S. Tucker, announced the arrest. Nocella called McCray’s actions ‘deliberate, dangerous, and deeply disruptive,’ emphasizing that burning police vehicles is not a form of protest—it is a federal crime.

ATF Special Agent in Charge Miller stated, “Intentionally setting fire to police vehicles is a dangerous criminal act and a direct threat to public safety. This arrest demonstrates our shared resolve to protect our communities.” NYPD Commissioner Tisch echoed Miller’s sentiments, adding that McCray’s actions mobilized the full force of law enforcement to identify and apprehend him.

The complaint details that at 12:52 a.m. on June 12, 2025, McCray was caught on surveillance video scaling a fence into a secure parking lot for reserve NYPD vehicles in Bushwick, Brooklyn. He remained there for approximately 32 minutes, during which time he ignited the vehicles and trailer. An NYPD officer arrived at approximately 1:24 a.m., witnessing McCray’s escape attempt.

Upon investigation, police recovered a cigar lighter torch, sunglasses with McCray’s fingerprints, and numerous fire starters from the scene. Nocella thanked the ATF-NYPD Arson & Explosives Task Force, FDNY Marshalls, and the United States Marshalls Services NY/NJ Regional Fugitive Task Force for their valuable contributions to the case.

FDNY Commissioner Tucker emphasized the seriousness of the crime, stating, “Burning a police vehicle is an intolerable crime that could have killed a police officer.” With this arrest, McCray faces justice for his actions that threatened public safety and undermined law enforcement efforts.

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