Man accused of throwing bleach in NYPD officer’s face, hurling Molotov cocktail at others

A Connecticut man was arrested Saturday and charged with arson after throwing a lit Molotov cocktail at New York City police (NYPD), while also hurling bleach in the face of one officer.

The NYPD said on Twitter that other Molotov cocktails were recovered from the man, who ABC 7 reported was Lionel Virgile, of Bridgeport, Conn., while one lit cocktail was thrown at officers during a chase that began with Virgile allegedly throwing bleach in an officer’s face during a traffic stop and speeding off.

The chase ended when Virgile’s vehicle crashed into another car, according to police.

When cops in Brooklyn stopped a car this AM for running a red light, the driver threw a chemical at our officer before speeding off. Stopped again, the driver threw a lit Molotov cocktail at cops & fled before crashing. The man was arrested & more Molotov cocktails were recovered pic.twitter.com/gQPrADEKJI

— NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) April 17, 2021

Virgile faces one federal arson charge, according to ABC 7, and will likely face state charges as well.

“This is another reminder of how quickly a situation can change & the dangers your cops face every day while they’re protecting NYers,” tweeted NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea regarding the incident.

“Even after arrest, the investigation into this attack remains active,” he continued, adding: “And your NYPD cops will not relent in their mission to keep you safe.”

This is another reminder of how quickly a situation can change, & the dangers your cops face every day while they’re protecting NYers.

Even after arrest, the investigation into this attack remains active.

And your NYPD cops will not relent in their mission to keep you safe. https://t.co/tuymwW6O4D

— Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) April 17, 2021

In a statement obtained by CBS 2, the New York City Police Benevolent Association, which holds conservative views and frequently clashes with the Democratic-majority city council, blamed the violence on anti-police rhetoric.

“Make no mistake: this is the environment that our elected officials have created. This is the violent behavior that their anti-police rhetoric has inspired,” said the union.