Cops say they’ve smoked out a serial arsonist wanted for a string of small fires across Manhattan.
Police and FDNY fire marshals on Wednesday arrested Jamal Deese, 24, and investigators now say he’s linked to 16 blazes between Union Square and Times Square. He’s expected to face federal charges in the spree, officials said Wednesday night.
Fire Marshals released surveillance photos of the suspected firebug Tuesday, initially linking him to eight small blazes, including in Penn Station and at several Midtown businesses. He set the blazes in garbage cans within a two-hour span starting at 4 p.m. Sunday.
NYPD Chief of Detectives Dermot Shea said Wednesday said he targeted restaurants and fast food joints.
Deese said nothing Wednesday night as police, FDNY and federal officials led him out of the 6th Precinct stationhouse in Greenwich Village.