Symbols of faith posted in front of a Woodhaven home were turned into kindling by an arsonist still at large, according to police.
The NYPD released on Saturday a security camera video of the suspect who set fire to 40 jhandis — brightly-colored religious flags of the Hindu faith — in the front yard of a home in the area of 89th Avenue and 80th Street at about 1:15 a.m.
Traditionally, each jhandi represents a particular deity worshiped in the Hindu faith. They are a common sight in the front yards of Hindu homes across Queens.
The grainy black-and-white video shows a shadowy figure crouching before the flags and setting them on fire with what appears to be a lighter, then walking away from the scene.
Officers from the 102nd Precinct responded to the incident. There were no reported injuries.
Police described the perpetrator as an adult male last seen wearing a baseball cap and a three-quarter length jacket while pulling along a medium-sized travel bag.
Anyone with information regarding the arson or the suspect’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS, visit their website or send a text message to 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
