Disturbing new video captures the moment a hateful arsonist fumbles in a failed attempt to light an American and Israeli flag on fire outside an Upper Manhattan kosher eatery in broad daylight.
The clip, released by the NYPD early Friday, shows the would-be firebug standing on a chair set up next to a small table outside Falafel Crunch on Amsterdam Avenue near West 186th Street in Fort George — about a block from Yeshiva University — and spraying an aerosol can at the two flags displayed together outside the pita spot around 2:50 p.m. Feb. 24.
He then stands on the table, but appears to lose his balance before yanking the flags off their pole, dropping them on the ground and running off.
The suspect attempted to burn an American and Israeli flag using an aerosol can. DCPI
After failing to light the flags on fire, he tore them down from the building. DCPI
The suspect — who escaped in a black sedan — has light complexion, a slim build, dark hair, stands about 5-foot-6 and is between 18 to 25 years old. DCPIThe suspect then hopped inside a black sedan and took off, heading north on Amsterdam Avenue.
No one was hurt during the botched crime, cops said.
The suspect — described as a man with a light complexion, between 18 to 25 years old, with a slim build, dark hair and standing about 5-foot-6, was last seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, black pants and white sneakers.
The NYPD’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the incident.
