A Connecticut man was arrested Saturday and charged with arson after he threw a burning Molotov cocktail into New York police (NYPD) while also throwing a bleach in the face of an officer.
The NYPD said on Twitter that other Molotov cocktails had been recovered from the man, who according to ABC 7 was Lionel Virgile, of Bridgeport, Conn. face during a traffic stop and drive fast.
The chase ended, according to police, when Virgile’s vehicle crashed into another car.
When police officers in Brooklyn stopped a car this morning with a red light, the driver threw a chemical at our officer before driving off. The driver stopped again and threw away a lit Molotov cocktail and fled before crashing. The man was arrested and more Molotov cocktails were recovered pic.twitter.com/gQPrADEKJI
– NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) 17 April 2021
According to ABC 7, Virgile is facing one federal arson charge and is likely to face state charges as well.
“This is another reminder of how quickly a situation can change and the dangers your police face every day while protecting NYers,” NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea tweeted about the incident.
“Even after arrest, the investigation into this attack remains active,” he continued, adding: “And your NYPD policemen will not give in to their mission to keep you safe.”
This is another reminder of how quickly a situation can change and the dangers your police face every day while protecting NYers.
Even after arrest, the investigation into this attack remains active.
And your NYPD cops will not give in to their mission to keep you safe. https://t.co/tuymwW6O4D
– Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) 17 April 2021
In a statement obtained by CBS 2, the New York City Police Benevolent Association, which upholds conservative views and regularly clashes with the Democratic majority council, blamed the violence against rhetoric against the police.
‘Make no mistake: this is the environment our elected officials have created. It is the violent behavior that inspired their anti-police rhetoric, “the union said.