Upper West Side Woman Missing; Bragg Indicts Serial Uptown Arsonist

The New York City Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in locating the a missing person, who resides within the confines of the 24 Precinct. Details are as follows:

Missing: Marjorie Cleonese-Laporte; 94-year-old female, Black; 315 West 94th Street.

It was reported to police that the missing elderly woman was last seen leaving her residence on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at approximately 1:52 p.m.. She is described as a female, 5’4”, and 110 pounds. She was last seen wearing a long beige trench coat and pushing a shopping cart.

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 Crimestoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X @NYPDTips.

All calls are strictly confidential.

Bragg Indicts Firebug for Serial Uptown Arson Spree

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., recent indictment of Michael Patterson, 38, of Tigard, Oregon, for allegedly committing a total of seven arsons across the Upper East Side and Upper West Side in 2025. Patterson is charged with nine counts of arson.

“Michael Patterson allegedly committed a series of arsons on Manhattan’s public streets,” said District Attorney Bragg. “These dangerous fires extensively damaged public and private property, including five vehicles, and it is fortunate that no one was injured. In Manhattan, we take extremely seriously conduct that endangers our communities – whether to people or to property.”

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record in court, Patterson to set a total of three fires on the Upper West Side on October 17, 2025.

At approximately 2:55 a.m., Patterson allegedly set a garbage can on fire near West 79th Street and Broadway.

At approximately 3:29 a.m., Patterson allegedly set garbage bags on fire that were adjacent to two parked cars, near West 77th Street and Columbus Avenue. The fire spread to the vehicles, substantially damaging both cars.

At approximately 4:10 a.m., Patterson allegedly 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.

At approximately 11:55 p.m., Patterson 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 approximately 11:57 p.m., Patterson 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, Patterson 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.