At least eight NYPD vehicles parked inside a Brooklyn lot went up in flames early Thursday morning in a suspected act of arson, police reported.
Law enforcement sources said the fiery incident happened at about 1:30 a.m. on June 12 at a parking lot on DeKalb and Central Avenues in Bushwick. The lot, located in the 83rd Precinct‘s confines, is typically used by the NYPD’s Patrol Borough Brooklyn North, which has its headquarters two blocks away from the site on Wilson Avenue.
Firefighters rushed to the scene to find eight marked and unmarked NYPD vehicles in flames. By the time firefighters finished extinguishing the flames, several of the vehicles had been totaled.
Based on a preliminary investigation, police believe the fire was intentionally started by an unknown arsonist. Firestarters used ignite camp fires were found in several of the vehicles, sources close to the case said.
While the motive remains unknown, the suspected arson incident occurs at a time of nationwide unrest over escalating ICE detainments, including in New York — and during protests in recent days, some demonstrators have clashed with cops.
Sources familiar with the incident reported that a man wearing all black and a black mask was spotted hurling an object into the lot just before the fire broke out.
Police are continuing to scour the area for surveillance footage that may help them track the suspect down. So far, no arrests have been made in the case.
Mayor Eric Adams pledged to find the person responsible.
“This damage is unacceptable, and we will find the person who is involved. Our officers are on the front line everyday. They move and run towards danger, and it takes courage to put on a uniform, but you can be a coward to burn property and damage property intentionally,” Adams said.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA). You can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, or on X (formerly Twitter) @NYPDTips. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
