Man accused of setting NYPD vehicles on fire turns himself in
News 12 previously reported multiple NYPD vehicles were damaged in a fire in June in Bushwick.
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The man accused of setting 11 NYPD vehicles on fire in Bushwick turned himself in on Monday.
News 12 previously reported multiple NYPD vehicles were damaged in a fire in June in Bushwick.
MORE: 3 NYPD vehicles in Bushwick lot had fire starters in them, mayor says
Since then, the NYPD says it has been searching for 21-year-old Jakhi Lodgson-McCray, until Monday.
MORE: NYPD vehicles set on fire in Brooklyn for 2nd time in a week; suspect identified in Bushwick fires
Ron Kuby, McCray's lawyer, says he turned himself in Monday morning.
"This morning at 7:30 in Brooklyn, he surrendered to federal authorities. This had been arranged last week," said Kuby.
Not long after, the 21-year-old appeared in court with dozens of friends and family supporting him. News 12 crews say he had a smile on his face at times during court.
"He has been consistently upbeat, positive, and unafraid," said Kuby.
Prosecutors connected the incident to the No Kings Day protests, claiming it was an attempt to limit police response for the protest, as the incident happened just days before. They also brought up that McCray has two minor offenses still pending related to protests.
A judge granted McCray a bond release along with other terms, prompting prosecutors to demand an appeal, claiming McCray was a flight risk.
"Look, had he been wanted all this time and you found him in somebody's closet that would be different. But he made arrangements and turned himself in," said Kuby.Despite the prosecutors' arguments, a second judge also upheld the bond release.
Shortly after though, McCray's lawyer says he was arrested in connection to one of his misdemeanors from last year. His lawyer handed out a two-page statement from McCray that read in part:
"Today, July 21st, I walked into the 83rd precinct and turned myself in. There's a real chance that I won't see the outside of a cell for years, but I make this choice clear of mind and in a naive way, hopeful."
While McCray's arson trial is pending, Kuby says McCray will likely be in state court Tuesday for the misdemeanor from last year.
