Sources report that authorities have arrested a parolee in NYC for attempting to set a patrol car of the NYPD on fire
According to sources in law enforcement, a previously convicted arsonist who was released on parole after serving time in state prison has been arrested once again. This time, he was apprehended for allegedly attempting to set a police car on fire. This marks at least his second arrest since being released.
According to sources and a criminal complaint, Jesus Figueroa, who is 31 years old, has been accused of climbing underneath an NYPD squad car in Greenwich Village at around 11:30 p.m. on Saturday. He allegedly set a fire that caused the driver’s side door to catch fire.
According to records, the suspected arsonist, who had been previously arrested at least six times, was swiftly apprehended by police. It is worth noting that the individual was still on parole from state prison for igniting a fire in a room at a hotel located in Queens back in 2017.
According to reports, Figueroa has been accused of targeting an NYPD vehicle again, marking at least the second time he has done so since being released from an upstate lockup on parole four months ago.
According to official records, Figueroa was arrested once again on charges of criminal mischief. He was accused of vandalizing an NYPD van by smashing its windshield in Manhattan on November 9th.
On Thursday, he was released without bail as the offense he was charged with is not eligible for bail under the state’s 2019 criminal justice reforms, which have been a topic of controversy.
On Sunday, a Manhattan police officer expressed frustration with the progress of criminal justice reform, stating, “I see criminal justice reform is going swimmingly,” according to The Post.
The source issued a warning to the police, stating, “Watch out for another repeat offender.”
According to insiders, Figueroa has been arrested in the past for sex-related crimes and for behaving in a way that endangers children.
According to records, he was convicted of second-degree arson for the incident that took place on December 2, 2017, at the Corona Hotel and was sentenced to five years in state prison. He was later released from the Elmira Correctional Facility in upstate New York in July.
According to insiders, a hotel security officer on duty noticed smoke emanating from a particular room on a certain date. Upon investigation, the officer discovered that someone had set a pillow ablaze near the door.
In an attempt to flee, Figueroa leaped out of a window on the second floor. However, his escape was short-lived as he was apprehended by a security guard outside the premises near 111th Street and Roosevelt Avenue. The security guard detained Figueroa until the police arrived.
According to the complaint filed against him, video surveillance footage of the incident on Saturday night captured Figueroa crawling beneath the NYPD Ford Fusion. Shortly after, a small spark was seen emanating from the area where he was located.
According to the complaint, as flames erupted on the driver’s side of the car, he was captured on video walking away, leaving the vehicle “blackened and charred.”
According to the complaint, the driver’s side door and its ballistic panel incurred fire damage, and the driver’s side window was shattered, resulting in a repair cost of over $1,500.
One police officer raised a valid concern, “How can we expect precision policing when the very individuals we apprehend are not being kept out of operation by the courts and DAs?” There are only a few criminals who wreak havoc on communities, and they will persist in doing so until the justice system takes appropriate action.
“Be warned, he won’t stop for the police.”
According to prosecutors, Figueroa was brought before the Manhattan Criminal Court on Sunday to face the charges of arson and criminal mischief. The judge presiding over the case set his bail at either $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond.
According to a representative, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office had requested either a cash bail of $25,000 or a bond of $50,000.
The next court appearance for Figueroa is scheduled on November 24th.
More News:
