🌱 Bushwick Arsonist Arrested + Church Avenue Assault Suspect Wanted

Happy Saturday, Brooklyn! I am your host, Patrick Murray here with three fresh headlines to start off your day.

First, today's weather:

A passing afternoon shower with a high of 67 and a low of 41.

Here are the top stories today in Brooklyn:

1. Police arrested a man who allegedly set fire to a LGBTQ+ friendly bar in Bushwick. John Lhota, 24, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with an arson incident at Rash Bar on April 3. Lhota faces a minimum sentence of seven years if convicted and could face up to 40 years in prison. (PIX 11 NY)
2. The NYPD is looking for a suspect who was caught on camera sexually assaulting a woman on Church Avenue. At approximately 2:10 a.m. on March 31, the 59-year-old woman was approached by the suspect on a motorized scooter, before she was slapped in the face, fell to the ground, and was assaulted. Anyone with information in regard to this incident is asked to call the NYPD’s Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). (AMNY)
3. The NYPD officer who fatally struck a pedestrian in a police van has been taken off the street as the Attorney General investigates the crash. The unidentified officer has been placed on modified duty, working a desk assignment without a shield or gun. State Attorney General Letitia James announced that her Office of Special Investigation had begun its own probe. (Yahoo News)

Today in Brooklyn:

• Laughing Buddha Open Mic at Eastville Comedy Club. (5:30 p.m.)
• Live music at Elsewhere. (6 p.m.)
• John Carroll Kirby live at The Sultan Room. (7 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Take a look at six things to do in Brooklyn this weekend. (Brooklyn Paper)
• These Bushwick students put business, and cosmetology training to the test. (Brooklyn Paper)

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You're officially in the loop for today! I'll be back in your inbox tomorrow morning with another update.

— Patrick Murray