Alleged anti-Israel arsonist accused of torching 11 NYPD cars arrested by feds: sources

( NYPost )

An alleged anti-Israel menace accused of torching nearly a dozen NYPD cars in Brooklyn was arrested and slapped with federal charges Monday after a month-long manhunt, prosecutors said.  

Jakhi Lodgson McCray, 21, was allegedly caught on surveillance cameras setting fire to 10 squad cars and a trailer in the designated NYPD parking lot on June 12 — causing at least $800,000 in damage, the criminal complaint charges.

The accused firebug had allegedly scaled the fence of the locked lot just before 1 a.m. before going on a 30-minute arson attack, according to court papers.

McCray – who authorities said was a known “Free Palestine” protester — then fled through a hole in the fence, prosecutors allege.

In the aftermath, cops discovered a cigar lighter torch, 22 retail fire starters and 10 BBQ dragon egg fire starters at the scene.

A pair of sunglasses with McCray’s prints on them were also found, the complaint claims.

“This destructive act of arson was deliberate, dangerous, and deeply disruptive,” US Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr. said in a statement.

“Setting police vehicles ablaze is not a form of protest — it is a federal crime. Our Office will not tolerate violence or destruction that undermines law enforcement efforts to ensure public safety and will prosecute this individual to the fullest extent of the law.”

The NYPD had blasted out his photo in the wake of the fiery saga and offered up a $30,000 reward for details on his whereabouts.

In addition to the arson attack, the suspect — who already had a string of protest-related arrests to his name — also allegedly wrecked a statue during a rowdy Columbia University protest last September, police said.

McCray turned himself in to federal authorities early Monday, sources told The Post.

“The arson attack against New York City Police Department vehicles in Bushwick, Brooklyn was as cowardly as it was criminal,” NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

“The defendant in this case may have wanted to send a message – but all he did was mobilize the full force of the NYPD, the ATF, and the FDNY to identify, locate, and arrest him.”

McCray is due to be arraigned in Brooklyn federal court later Monday.