The Connecticut man accused of splashing bleach in a Brooklyn officer’s face and hurling a Molotov cocktail at a police cruiser quickly confessed to hatching out a plot to firebomb NYPD vehicles weeks ago, according to federal court documents.
Lionel Virgile, 38, of Bridgeport allegedly waived his Miranda rights and provided a statement admitting toward tossing a cup full of bleach at a 67th Precinct officer who stopped him for a traffic violation in East Flatbush on the morning of April 17 — then lobbing an incendiary devices at officers who pursued him.
The Molotov cocktail, however, bounced off the cruiser’s windshield and hit the ground, without causing any injury to the officers inside.
Shortly after Virgile was stopped and taken into custody, according to the criminal complaint, officers found five other Molotov cocktails full of gasoline inside the vehicle. During questioning, Virgile allegedly admitted to creating the devices with the intent to injure police officers.
Also, federal prosecutors said, Virgile allegedly told investigators that he had been driving around Brooklyn “for at least two weeks” with about six Molotov cocktails with the intent of attacking police.
The suspect was arraigned Monday afternoon on a federal charges of arson under Title 18 of the US Code, Section 844. He faces between five and 20 years behind bars if convicted.
Cops said that Virgile blew a red light at the corner of Clarendon Road and East 45th Street at about 7:56 a.m. on April 17, prompting the initial stop by 67th Precinct officers.
Footage taken by one of the officer’s bodycams shows Virgile reaching down near the driver’s side door, then opening it and throwing the cup of bleach at the officer, who wound up suffering minor burns.
Virgile then hit the accelerator and fled from the scene, authorities said. The officers radioed in a description of the culprit and request additional assistance.
Moments later, in the area of Snyder Avenue and East 56th Street, Virgile allegedly chucked the fiery cocktail at another 67th Precinct cruiser. Seconds later, he crashed into a parked SUV, and the officers moved in to arrest him without further incident.
This story first appeared on AMNY.com.
