7 Arsons Committed On The UES And UWS, Prosecutor Says

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — An Oregon man is facing charges related to seven different arson attacks on the Upper East Side and Upper West Side, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. said Thursday.

Michael Patterson, 38, faces five counts of arson in the third degree and four counts of arson in the fifth degree in a New York State Supreme Court indictment, Bragg said. Patterson is from Tigard, Oregon, Bragg said.

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"Michael Patterson allegedly committed a series of arsons on Manhattan’s public streets," Bragg said Thursday. "These dangerous fires extensively damaged public and private property, including five vehicles, and it is fortunate that no one was injured."

The indictment accuses Patterson of setting four fires on the Upper East Side between the late hours of Sept. 30 and early Oct. 1, targeting garbage and parked cars near East 92nd, 91st, 70th, and 71st streets, damaging multiple cars in the process.

Patterson is also accused of setting three fires on the Upper West Side on Oct. 17, targeting garbage and a tree planter near West 79th and West 77th streets, damaging two cars.

"In Manhattan, we take extremely seriously conduct that endangers our communities – whether to people or to property," Bragg said.

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