One person arrested and two at large over burning of American and Israeli flags: NYPD

The New York Police Department (NYPD) on Thursday called for information about two suspects who used an accelerant to burn an American and an Israeli flag outside of the Israeli consulate in New York City earlier this week.

One suspect has been arrested for the incident, but two remain at large, the NYPD said. The suspect who has been detained was identified as 20-year-old Jahki Lodgson-McCray, who was charged with reckless endangerment, menacing, disorderly conduct, and failure to use a sidewalk.

The three individuals burned the flags while in a bike lane on Wednesday, according to police officials, which posed a danger to bikers. The crimes are being investigated by the New York Police Department's Hate Crime Task Force.

"The flames of the flags presented a danger to bikers having to swerve out of the bike lane onto ongoing traffic and also presented a danger to civilians on the sidewalk," authorities said, according to ABC News.

NYPD Deputy Commissioner of Operations Kaz Daughtry said the suspects were "cowards" and vowed to apprehend the individuals. 

"The NYPD will identify and apprehend all of them for their failed efforts to sow fear and discord in the place where mutual respect is the essence of who we are," Daughtry posted to X.

The vandalism comes after protesters shouted antisemitic and pro-Hitler chants on a subway in New York on Monday. Those protesters were likely part of a larger demonstration in Union Square Park.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.