What to Know
- Cops arrested a man they say is the arsonist who's set at least 16 fires in Manhattan since Sunday
- The alleged arsonist set fires to trash cans inside Penn Station, restrooms of busy chain restaurants and residential buildings, police say
- Jamal Deese was arrested Wednesday and charges are pending; he has been arrested in the past on 12 felonies, but none for arson, police said
Police have arrested a 25-year-old man suspected of setting 16 fires in three days at busy streets, stores and apartment buildings in Manhattan.
Jamal Deese was arrested Wednesday and indicted Thursday on four counts of arson, each of which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum 20 years in prison.
The arson spree started Sunday, when the suspect set fires to trash cans inside Penn Station, according to police. The same day, further down Eighth Avenue, he allegedly walked into a McDonald's, made a beeline for the restroom and set that on fire; he then did the same at a neighboring pizza place.
Then on Monday, he torched the inside of a few businesses along 14th Street in Greenwich Village in the middle of the day, including a Dunkin' Donuts, while unsuspecting customers were inside.
On Tuesday, the man sneaked into at least two residential buildings in Greenwich Village and again set fires there.
"It's very frightening, a frightening thing to have that happening in this neighborhood," said resident Lyman Carter.
"I think anyone that is willing to commit arson is a little bit off," said Elon Headley. "He needs some help."
Local
Deese was arrested Wednesday evening when he returned to one of the restaurants in which he had previously ignited a fire.
It wasn't immediately clear if Deese has an attorney who could comment on the charges.
