A firebug was caught on camera trying to torch a Hatzalah ambulance in Manhattan over the weekend — an act that cops are investigating as a possible hate crime.
The lanky arsonist strolled along the sidewalk — holding what appears to be a can in his hand — before setting fire to the Lower East Side Hatzalah Emergency Medical Services van, parked on Grand Street near Madison Street around 11 p.m. Saturday, according to the NYPD and the video they released Thursday.
An area in the back end of the vehicle, next to one of the wheels, ignites, the brief clip shows.
Hatzalah volunteer ambulances serve predominantly Jewish communities around the world.
The city’s Hate Crime Task Force is investigating the arson, cops said.
The suspect fled the scene and had not been caught by Thursday.
He is described as a male with a light complexion and a slim build — last seen wearing a blue shirt, gray-colored shorts and white sneakers, cops said.
Anyone with information on the crime is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or on X@NYPDTips.