Tag Archive for: new york city police department

REPORT: Police Accuse Repeat-Offender Protester For Setting 11 Of Their Cars On Fire

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.”

Police are also investigating whether he is responsible for a similar attempt to set a police van ablaze Wednesday in another part of Brooklyn.

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.

AUTHOR

Caleb Ruger

Caleb Ruger is a student at William and Mary studying History. He serves as Publisher at The Wren Journal, the Collegiate Network paper at William and Mary. He also serves as the Secretary of the Virginia College Republicans and Vice President of the William and Mary College Republicans. A recent Catholic convert, he is the Vice President of William and Mary’s Thomistic Institute chapter.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Father And Son Allegedly Robbed Bank, Engaged In Six-Hour Standoff With Police

State Department Begins Scrutinizing Social Media Accounts Of Student Visa Applicants

EDITORS NOTE: This Daily Caller column is republished with permission. ©All rights reserved.

‘My Husband Died A Hero, But He Always Lived As One’: NYPD Officer’s Widow Delivers Eulogy As Thousands Attend Funeral

Stephanie Diller, the widow of a New York City Police Department (NYPD) officer who was murdered, delivered a eulogy Saturday as thousands of people attended the funeral.

NYPD officer Jonathan Diller was allegedly shot dead Monday by Guy Rivera during a traffic stop in Queens. Diller’s widow remembered him fondly among a large audience, saying he was a “fierce protector” who was her “absolute greatest confidant.”

“Thank you all for the support this week,” Stephanie Diller began. “The outpouring of love our family has received has been overwhelming, and we’re forever thankful to everyone.”

“With every hug that I’ve received, I just picture each one is from Jonathan. I wish Jonathan were here to see the incredible kindness and generosity that has been shown to our family, but I know in his own way, he is here watching over us,” she continued. “I am so proud that thousands of people across the country are calling Jonathan a hero, but the truth is, he has always been a hero to Ryan and me. The rest of the world is just catching up.”

Stephanie Diller said she also wanted to “honor Jonathan for who he was out of the uniform” after emphasizing that he was “beyond proud” to be part of the NYPD. Diller’s widow described her deceased husband as a “connector” and a “friend to everyone.” She called his death “devasting” and “senseless,” according to the New York Post.

“My husband died a hero, but he always lived as one,” Stephanie Diller said, according to the outlet.

Rivera was charged with murder of a police office, attempted murder and criminal possession of a weapon Thursday, the outlet noted, the same day former President Donald Trump attended the slain NYPD officer’s wake.

AUTHOR

JULIANNA FRIEMAN

Contributor.

RELATED ARTICLE: Trump Blasts Biden Over Response To Murdered NYPD Officer, Says He ‘Could Have Called’

POSTS ON X:

EDITORS NOTE: This Daily Caller column is republished with permission. ©All rights reserved.