Man arrested for setting semi on fire also charged for trying to burn police vehicle

New York police say that a man already facing charges for setting a semi truck on fire is now facing additional charges for attempting to set a police vehicle on fire.

On Wednesday, August 5, the Albany Police Department announced that they have issued arson and riot charges against 24 year old Ah-Juan Boyd.

Albany police describe the arson attempt in a news release:

On Monday, June 1, 2020 between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., Ah-Juan Boyd participated in a riot that began at police headquarters and joined other participants in surrounding Albany police personnel who were blocking traffic at the corner of First Street and Henry Johnson Boulevard. At the intersection, Boyd then proceeded to place a mattress against an Albany police vehicle and set the mattress on fire.

Albany police have already charged Boyd for an incident that occurred on May 30, 2020, on South Pearl Street in Albany. According to authorities, truck driver traveling on South Pearl Street was stopped by protesters and removed from his truck.

“Boyd then proceeded to set fire to the tractor trailer as it was parked in the middle of South Pearl Street at Westerlo Street,” the Albany Police Department said.

Boyd was issued three felony charges for arson, riot, and criminal mischief for burning the truck.

Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis earlier this year, truckers across the country have faced vandalism, physical attacks, and charges amid outbreaks of civil unrest.