Hate Crime in E. Harlem; Bragg Indicts Serial Uptown Arsonist

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying the individual who is wanted in connection with an aggravated harassment incident that occurred within the confines of the 32nd Precinct, much of which borders the East River. Details are as follows:

It was reported to the police that on Feb. 4, at approximately 12:50 p.m., an unidentified individual drew anti-religious graffiti on the front door of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, located at 360 Lenox Avenue. The individual fled southbound on Lenox Avenue.

The individual is described as a male with a light complexion. He was last seen wearing a neon yellow jacket, dark-colored pants, and a black winter hat.

This incident is being investigated by the NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips.

Bragg Indicts Serial Incendiary for Uptown Arson Sprees

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, Jr., recently indicted Michael Patterson, 38, for allegedly committing a total of seven arsons across the Upper East Side and Upper West Side in 2025. Patterson has been charged with eight counts of arson. “In Manhattan, we take extremely seriously conduct that endangers our communities–whether to people or to property,” said Bragg.

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, Patterson went on an arson spree on the UWS on Oct. 17, 2025 set a total of three fires on the Upper West Side on October 17, 2025. that started when he allegedly set a garbage can on fire near West 79th Street and Broadway around 2:55 a.m.

At 3:29 a.m., he allegedly set garbage bags on fire that were adjacent to two parked cars, near West 77th Street and Columbus Avenue that spread to the vehicles, causing substantial damage. Then at approximately 4:10 a.m., he dumped trash from a garbage can into a tree planter and set the trash on fire.

Pattersons four alleged Upper East Side fires were set in the late-night hours of September 30, 2025, into the early morning hours of October 1, 2025.

He allegedly set fire to a pile of garbage that was adjacent to a parked car, near East 92nd Street and Madison Avenue, substantially damaging the car at 11:55 p.m. and September 30, 2025, and two minutes later allegedly set fire to a pile of garbage that was adjacent to two parked cars, near East 91st Street and Park Avenue. The fire completely destroyed one car and substantially damaged the other.

At approximately 12:25 a.m., on October 1, 2025, he allegedly set fire to the trash inside of a garbage can near East 70th Street and Madison Avenue. A few minutes later, he allegedly set fire to another garbage can near East 71st Street and Madison Avenue.