5 Philadelphia Police Vehicles Set On Fire In One Night

Philadelphia, PA – At least five Philadelphia Police Department vehicles were set on fire early on Monday morning.

The first incident occurred at about 2:30 a.m. on July 27 at Chestnut and 39th Streets, according to WHYY.

Police vehicles were also set ablaze at 7th and Chestnut Streets, at 11th and Vine Streets, and in the 5500-block of Pine Street, the Philadelphia Patch reported.

The extent of the damage had not yet been assessed but WHYY reported that none of the vehicles were occupied when the arsonist struck.

All of the fires were quickly extinguished, the Philadelphia Patch reported.

BREAKING NEWS: #Philadelphia #police are investigating who set fire to several police vehicles overnight. @khireephl17 is live at one of the scenes in Center City at 7th and Chestnut. @phl17 pic.twitter.com/pTpqlSSkmA

— Demetria Green (@DemetriaPHL17) July 27, 2020

Police said there were security cameras on businesses nearby where the fires were set, and the investigation is ongoing.

Officials said the suspect is a white male wearing a flannel shirt and bandana, carrying a backpack, and riding what is believed to be a Cannondale bike, the KTXF reported.

Officers were instructed via police radio not to leave their police vehicles unattended or to put them in protected garages if they must park them for an extended period, the Philadelphia Patch reported.

The fires were set in multiple police districts including the 6th, 7th, 16th and 18th Districts, KTXF reported.

Call @PhillyPolice at 215-686-TIPS, if you have information on the police vehicles that have been set on fire this year in West Philadelphia. pic.twitter.com/phFfs4KYkQ

— Derrick Wood (@PPDDerrickWood) July 27, 2020

Multiple police vehicles were burned during George Floyd riots the last week of May.

Lore-Elisabeth Blumenthal, 33, is facing federal charges for the arson of two Philadelphia police cars, the Philadelphia Patch reported.