Burglar Behind Laundry Blaze Now Tied To Brooklyn Slashing Spree: NYPD

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn man nabbed for an unusual apartment burglary is now suspected of a weekend slashing spree that injured three people, authorities said.

Odyssey Head, 27, who was taken into custody for allegedly setting a fire in a Flatbush apartment building’s laundry room, has now been charged in connection with the weekend slashing attacks, authorities said.

As of Monday morning, Head faces multiple charges, including burglary, arson, attempted murder, assault, trespassing and criminal mischief, police said.

Head allegedly broke into an apartment building on New York Avenue near Newkirk Avenue in Flatbush around 5 a.m. Saturday. Police say he damaged a washer and dryer and set fire to some clothing before fleeing the scene.

Later that morning, the slashing attacks began: around 6:30 a.m., a 37-year-old straphanger was slashed on the left side of his face while on a northbound Q train at the Church Avenue station.

Two more victims were attacked in a similar manner, approached from behind and slashed across the face. The first happened around 9:40 p.m. Saturday near Foster and New York Avenues, roughly a mile and a half from the Church Avenue station. The second occurred around 7 a.m. Sunday near Newkirk and New York Avenues, just a block away.

All victims were taken to nearby hospitals and listed in stable condition, police added.

Police released a surveillance image of the subway slashing suspect that afternoon and asked the public for help identifying him, which ultimately led to the identification of Head.