World, meet Craig Tamanaha, the 49-year-old homeless man who allegedly set fire to the Fox News Christmas tree this morning:
The suspect is identified as 49-year-old Craig Tamanaha, who is homeless, with a last known address in Brooklyn.
A lighter was found in his possession.
— [email protected] (@LauraWalkerKC) December 8, 2021
According to the NYPD, Tamanaha climbed the superstructure of the tree and used papers her brought to light it on fire:
Police say the 49-year-old suspect climbed up "the metal superstructure" — the tree is an artificial sculpture that is shaped to look like a tree — lit papers he brought with him on fire, and shoved the papers into the tree structure.
— [email protected] (@LauraWalkerKC) December 8, 2021
And then he reportedly watched the tree burn:
He then climbed down and watched from the street level as it burned, and he was spotted by building security who pointed the man out to police officers posted in nearby Rockefeller Center.
— [email protected] (@LauraWalkerKC) December 8, 2021
He has three prior arrests:
Tamanaha is charged with criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, arson, criminal nuisance, endangering others, criminal trespass, criminal tampering and disorderly conduct.
He has three prior arrests, two for drug possession and one for public intoxication.
— [email protected] (@LauraWalkerKC) December 8, 2021
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And police are “looking into whether mental illness was a factor”:
The motive for the arson was unclear, but police say Tamanaha appears to have acted alone.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea said detectives are looking into whether mental illness was a factor.
— [email protected] (@LauraWalkerKC) December 8, 2021
Over to you, Mayor de Blasio:
"He was issued earlier this year some appearance tickets and didn't come back to court, which unfortunately is something we see all too often. Also has some low level arrests out of state."
— Laura Walker ⚖🍸🇺🇸 🏴 (@LauraWalkerKC) December 8, 2021
At what point do New Yorkers demand an end to catch-and-release policies?
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